DR. MIKE ADENUGA JNR. AT 70 SPECIAL

ISSN-1362-7309

Issue 206 CREW

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MIKE ADENUGA T H E S P I R I T O F A F R I C A AT 7 0

By

Fellow Nigerians, exactly 70 years ago, on Wednesday, April 29, 1953, an exceptional baby was born. As was customary with the Yoruba people of old Western Region of Nigeria, he would soon be given names that would reflect the circumstances of his birth and the observations of his parents around the period Thus, he was named Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Isola Adenuga, at his christening One of these powerful names soon became a prophecy fulfilled AGBOLADE is the child who has

attracted wealth to his family If the Adenugas thought they were already successful and prosperous, their son, Mike Adenuga Jr. would soon be known globally as one of the world’s wealthiest humans on planet earth

I will not bore you with his biography since the cyberspace is already awash with tales of his uncommon trajectory I’m here to demonstrate why I’m convinced that the celebrant of today is a special creation of God sent to this world to touch countless lives.

As for me and my house, I consider my encounters with him as being spiritually ordained Not many people can boast of seeing and knowing Adenuga at close range I’m privileged to have Dr Adenuga as my mentor and benefactor I can readily write a PhD thesis on the extraordinary nature of the Spirit of Africa, a spirit you hardly see but feel his impact all around you I’m very convinced that only God could have sent Dr Adenuga to me Our relationship is undoubtedly divine

I bless the day I met Dr Adenuga in 1991

More than money, I have gained much more from having substantial access to him and drinking endlessly from his fountain of knowledge than the wealth he has splashed on me and so many others While most people see his billions in dollars, I see his intellectual prowess in trillions I pray that technology will give us opportunities to clone such brains as I doubt if similar geniuses are still manufactured these days I will never get tired of learning at his feet

Let me now give you just a few of our encounters

Adenuga, the generous giver: I can confidently say, Mike Adenuga is the most generous man or woman alive If you know of any other, please write your own piece I know of people who have become billionaires in Naira/assets from the regular support Adenuga gives them All it takes is to impress him repeatedly with performance and loyalty No amount is too big for Adenuga to give his friends and associates He believes in the reward system I once asked why he gives out so much His response was a classic “If you have a Billionaire as your friend, his wealth must reflect on you ” What a response!

In 2015, I got a call to pick up a car at Banana Island which he bought for me I wasn’t surprised that he bought me a car, since he gives more than 50 exotic cars out every year, I was stunned that he bought me the most expensive car in the Audi family, Audi A8L I was later told he bought about ten of those luxury cars and gave them out I know of a family he gave the husband a Range Rover and the wife a RAV 4 These are not Tokunbo vehicles (used cars) but brand new Adenuga does not believe in dolling out peanuts to people One encounter is enough to leave you dazed eternally If you are smart and can manage your business well, you should be made for life

Adenuga, a loyal friend in the days of tribulations In 1995, I got into serious trouble with the Abacha government and I needed to literally vamoose and I reached out to Adenuga for help. I was pleasantly surprised when he gave financial support as risky as it was then And during my exile years in England, he supported me every year till I returned home Unlike others who would expect you to become a slave thereafter, I was treated with love and respect

When I started O VAT I O N International in London and the company ran into trouble, I wrote to Adenuga and asked him to take over since I didn’t want my dream to evaporate His response again was brilliant and encouraging “Ovation is your baby, work harder at it ” He kept giving me the necessary support periodically without requesting for my flesh and blood

Adenuga respects reciprocity in relationships He tries hard to reciprocate kind deeds you make to him. A year after he bought me the Audi, I did something that really touched him in 2016 He invited me to his Bellissima Palace on Banana Island As I sat down, he thanked me profusely for my love for him Then to my greatest surprise and joy, he announced very calmly: “I have just ordered you a Range Rover, the only problem is that the dealer only have it in white color…” Jesus, I screamed: “Chairman, you just gave me the Audi A8L last year, this is unexpected Sir ” He smiled and told me: “Our Bob Dee, you’re a great guy and you deserve anything I can give I will let you know when the Range is available in black, because black will look good on you, and send it to you ” And when the car was ready, he told me to wait for someone at Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, where it was delivered to me Let me confirm to you that both cars he gave me in one year cost him N85 million Let’s not talk about other transactions at home and abroad, including well funded foreign assignments

Adenuga hates the word impossibilit One beautiful morning, I landed in Dubai As I was checking into my hotel, a call came through from his top aide, Mr Bode Opeseitan “Bob Dee Sir, Chairman wants to have dinner with you and a

few friends at home tomorrow ” Wonderful Lord, the Devil is a liar, I soliloquised This was an opportunity I had waited for so patiently A dinner with Adenuga is always a treat He is a man of extraordinary culinary taste and style He spoils his guests with the best of cuisines, washed down with an assortment of cocktails, white and red wines, champagnes and cognacs… He sends me cartons of these expensive drinks, from time to time Sorry, about this digression This is a rare opportunity to say just about one percent of our interactions

I had to abort my stay in Dubai with automatic alacrity How can a whole Adenuga invite me to dinner and I will tell him I can’t come because I’m in Dubai. So I told Bode to tell Chairman, I will honor his invitation, no matter what it would take

So I called Emirates and moved my next flight to London backwards and left for London same afternoon Fortunately, I landed in London by about 6 30pm and was able to board the 10 30pm Virgin Atlantic flight from same Heathrow Terminal 3 to Lagos. Because of Adenuga, I made a round trip of Accra to Dubai to London to Lagos in less than 24 hours But it paid off handsomely At that dinner, I sealed a mega deal of the Ovation Carol sponsorship with

Glo… “Bode, please, tell your sponsorship team to give Bob Dee whatever is required to make Ovation Carol a success ” What a Spirit!

Adenuga’s battle with photographers For a man so charming and handsome, Adenuga does not like cameras around him I’m lucky to have had many pictures with him When I started handling his media relations in 1992, I was being paid to shield him from publicity, whether good or bad It was difficult, if not impossible, to get any clear picture of Adenuga in media files His favourite words are “I’m hiding under the parapet ” When I complain about the way he’s

being undervalued on the annual Rich List, he used to tell me: “I’m not desperate to be listed as number one. I’m comfortable wherever they put me Those who understand the game know the real wealth ”

On one occasion, about 12 years ago, he agreed to open up his books to a few of us His nationwide and international real estate portfolio was so staggering that we became dizzy just looking from city to city He owns one of the most priced properties in Johannesburg and he’s a neighbour of the current President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa His properties litter

several world capitals

We gained access to the stupendous assets of GLO and GLO 1 and could not believe the figures staring at us It is difficult to contemplate how one man could ever think of stretching the limits of technology by laying submarine cables under the Atlantic ocean from Europe to West Africa.

His gargantuan operations at ConOil was another matter entirely with huge investments in exploration, in upstream and downstream The gas deposits were beyond imagination What a blessed man!

Adenuga and his battle with cameras It has been a struggle getting him to agree to take pictures even for his 70th. For a man who can afford the biggest photographers in the world, he only allowed one young talented Nigerian Photographer, Jeffrey Olalekan, to take his pictures and Maureen Ekezie, to clean up the job What an enigma!

Let me give one more encounter, a very recent one, since there are too many tributes to read on Adenuga today. He called me two days ago to complain that the noise about his 70th birthday is getting too loud So I pleaded with him to allow us celebrate him this time around and that I believe this one is beyond his control

It is not his style but his friends, associates and disciples have decided to celebrate him big time, whether he agrees or not

Just imagine a newspaper edition in which you have Segun Adeniyi, Simon Kolawole, Reuben Abati, Nduka Irabor, Yemi Ogunbiyi, with congratulatory messages pouring in from well-wishers What more can a man ask for from God?

Today na today

Happy birthday to the Spirit of Africa…

I have gained much more from having substantial access to him and drinking endlessly from his fountain of knowledge than the wealth he has splashed on me and so many others

' '

P R E S I D E N T B u H A R I CELEBRATES MIKE ADENuGA JNR AT 70

President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with consummate businessman and philanthropist, Dr Mike Adenuga, Jnr, on his 70th birthday, April 29, 2023, celebrating the entrepreneur, whose charity and goodwill continue to inspire, attracting local and global recognitions, including three national honours, OON, CON and GCON.

President Buhari affirms the impact of Adenuga’s visionary leadership on Nigeria’s economy, setting the pace for investments in oil and gas, telecoms, real estate, banking, construction and hospitality, with remarkable

presence in supporting entertainment, sports and African culture, within and outside the country

The President extols the philanthropist for his courage, humility and dedication to nationbuilding, always placing the interest of the nation first, and welfare of the people, by ensuring that all his ventures and investments uphold human values of empathy, appreciation, trust and respect

As the philanthropist turns a septuagenarian, the President believes the numerous national and global awards are well

deserved, including the highest individual honour for a private citizen in Nigeria, GCON, and many others of high note like “The Companion of the Star of Ghana’’ from Ghana and “Commander of the Legion of Honour ’’ by French President, Emmanuel Macron.

President Buhari prays that Adenuga, who is Otunba Apesin of Ijebu-land, will grow in health, strength, and continual sound mind

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 28, 2023

H E B E L I E v E S I N T H E M A N I F E S T D E S T I N Y

O F N I G E R I A A S A G R E AT N AT I O N

-Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commended the commitment of Otunba Mike Adenuga

Jnr, Chairman of Globacom Telecommunications for his unwavering commitment to nation-building

Asiwaju Tinubu used the occasion of Adenuga’s 70th birthday to extend his good wishes to the business mogul for his many social and economic investment in Nigeria, describing him as a ‘believer in the manifest destiny of Nigeria as a great country ”

While praising Adenuga’s many business successes and accomplishments as a notable entrepreneur, in telecommunications, oil and gas, real estate, aviation among others, the President-elect particularly singled out how the business man democratised and revolutionised GSM telephony in Nigeria in 2003 with per second billing at a time it was considered impossible to so do

“I congratulate Otunba Mike Adenuga on attaining 70 To reach the Biblical age of three scores and ten brings great joy to every human

being and I thank God for making this great son of Nigeria and the world to reach the milestone in good health

“Otunba Adenuga is a firm believer in the manifest destiny of Nigeria as a great country This he has demonstrated with his continous investments in our economy, creating thousands of jobs and wealth for our people through his many businesses.

“I wish Otunba Adenuga many more years in profound health to continue adding value to our country and humanity in general ”

ADENUGA AT 70 THE LOGIC

BEHIND THE PHENOMENON

-Mike Jituboh

As Dr Mike Adenuga Jr , the Nigerian Oil and Telecommunications magnate, turns 70 on 29th April, 2023, two of the many questions that come to mind are: What makes him tick and how does one get to accomplish even as little as 1% of his financial achievements to date?

The answers to these straight forward questions are surprisingly simple Virtually all those who have been fortunate to work closely with Dr Adenuga over the years agree, with regards to the first question that the principal assets that stand him apart from billions of others mortals are as follows:

1 Seeing the big picture

2 Focusing on the big picture

3 Extraordinary attention to detail

4 Non forgetful memory

5 Willingness to take risks

6 Ability to think outside of the box

7 Speed in taking decisions but

8 Patience when required

9 Amazing stamina and

10 A totally detribalized disposition towards his entire work force; from the most senior to most junior staff members

The answer to the second question is that in addition to diligently striving to develop sterling qualities that have made Dr Adenuga what he is today, one must also be prepared to work as hard as he does in order to stand a chance of emulating his phenomenal achievements

Exactly two decades ago, Dr Adenuga was thriving in Banking, with Devcom bank preoccupied with the business sector and Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) in retail banking He was at the same time solidly entrenched in the oil and gas sector with his flagship company, Conoil

producing Limited holding pride of place as the foremost indigenous oil producing company in the country

Far from being contented with the big pie that he had in banking and oil, Adenuga had scoped the economic landscape and determined that telecommunications were going to be the next big thing in Nigeria His far-sighted decision to take the plunge has since seen Globacom become the second ranked mobile operator in the country, with over 56 million subscribers.

The journey from then to now has not been

easy It was right from inception fraught with steely roadblocks and mortal dangers that would have floored anyone without the type of patience, stamina and willingness to take risks that Adenuga is imbued with

The first major problem was that the mobile telecoms licenses of Adenuga's Communications Investment Limited (CIL) and over fifty other entities were canceled overnight by the Federal government which went on to announce a bidding process under which only four licenses were to be issued The process called for interested bidders to each deposit $20 million which would be forfeited if the bidder could not or had decided not to pay the balance of the biddder's winning bid

While some of those whose licenses were cancelled decided to challenge the decision in court, Dr Adenuga immediately turned his attention to the requirements of the new bidding procedure and promptly made $20 million deposit.

Subsequently internal and external experts were commissioned to prepare and present a very detailed business case that sought to establish the bid level at which it would be advisable to walk away rather than pay a higher price that would make the investment a loss- making proposition The experts determined that the cutoff mark for the bidding team should be $200 million A traditional bidding process was adopted by the organizers of the bid, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), with the reserve price set at $100 million The five contenders, including CIL, were sequestered in separate rooms at the Hilton hotel in Abuja and contact between contending parties or the outside world was forbidden NCC would continually inch up the bidding price until only one contender was left standing; at which point the second to the last agreed price would be offered to all those still left in the race

Dr Adenuga had entrusted a carefully selected team with the task of bidding on behalf of CIL As the team got ready to leave for Abuja, it got a call from Adenuga whose terse and very clear directive made it impossible for CIL not to be amongst the four licenses being auctioned No matter how high the bidding price went, the team was not to stop until CIL ended up as one of the winners CIL was in effect to give the last word on the pricing level of the GSM license

Dr Adenuga's directive made the job of the CIL team to be easier than it would have been Without the directive and with bidders not

allowed to contact their principals during the bidding process, it would have been very difficult for the CIL team to decide on its own when to b#following the preceding price of $285 million, the latter was set as the final price and offered to CIL and the other three remaining bidders

With the successful battle for one of the GSM over, attention swiftly turned to planning for the balance of $265 million to be paid before the payment deadline, which was only a few weeks away

Dr Adenuga had no difficulty in getting the amount ready but a few hours before the money was to be transferred to the designated government account, word came in from Abuja that the frequency allocated to CIL was under litigation. The specter of a complex, drawn out process during which CIL could be denied usage

of the frequency suddenly loomed, and a go or no- go decision had to be taken With the clock ticking towards the deadline hour mark, the decision taken by Adenuga was to go but with a condition attached to the payment, to the effect that the receiving bank was not to release the funds to the government until the latter provided CIL with an Indemnity Letter The requested letter was to protect the company from losing the funds if the litigants succeeded in keeping their frequencies.

The payment was thus made before the deadline hour, but the government refused to give the Indemnity Letter and ultimately cancelled the award and seized the $20 million deposit

Faced with the new development, Dr Adenuga's extraordinary ability to take on and surmount an intractable challenge came into play. under his guidance, CIL began a protracted battle

to not only get back the GSM license but the Indemnity Letter as well Over one year down the road, neither objective had been attained and the prospect of achieving them looked bleak Despite this seemingly intractable hurdle, Dr Adenuga continued to pay the salaries of CIL staff of Network engineers, sales and customer care It would take another one year before both objectives were achieved Under the new name of Globacom, Dr Adenuga once again put in a bid and won the national carrier license and since the license came along with the same litigious frequency, the NCC this time did not hesitate to give the Indemnity Letter

With the license fully obtained, full attention was turned to making up for lost time The other three telecommunications companies were two years ahead in not only providing telecoms services but in garnering the most lucrative

segments and entities of the telecoms market; the business entities and high net worth individuals The biggest hurdle for Globacom was however not the difficulty in catching up but the threat of sudden death

As may be expected, the other telecoms companies were not in a welcoming mood to what they saw as a brash novice that should not have ventured into the business in the first place The ploy they came up with to stop Glo in its track was straight forward They did everything they could to frustrate interconnections between Glo and their networks with the result that as a Glo subscriber you could only get in touch with other Glo subscribers; the number of which was unsustainably small at the start

During several meetings that ran into the night, Dr Adenuga listened to suggested solutions that all centered around getting NCC to force the networks to interconnect with Glo, as required by the law At the end of these crises’ sessions, he came up with a fivestage action plan that ultimately worked to not only save Glo but to catapult it to its current number 2 position

The first was to crash the price of sim cards, bringing it to almost zero The second was the momentous decision to introduce per second billing while the third was a deliberate plan to be the first to market with new products and initiatives such as Blackberry and 4G

The fourth action plan was to procure the Glo Sub marine cable, which has been pivotal in propelling Glo to its current enviable position of being the Grand Master of Data while the fifth was to flood the social media with Glo news and top -notch advertisements, which millions of Nigerians have come to see as being as home grown as Glo.

Adenuga's impending attainment of the ripe age of 70 years may give a false sense of hope to all the worried competitors of Glo; an expectation, perhaps, that he may finally decide to slow down and spend most of his time in Acapulco or some other exotic resort Unfortunately for the competitors, three major factors stand in the way of their wishful anticipation The first is that rather than waning, Adenuga's phenomenal stamina continues to wax stronger as the years advance Secondly, his determination to make Glo the first, best and most attractive telecommunications company in Africa and ultimately the world, remains resolute and is well on course to being achieved in the near future

The third and possibly the most important factor is that Adenuga's heart and focus has been and, from all indications, will continue to be in his native country, Nigeria and Africa where he has patriotically invested and continues to invest his massive resources

On behalf of the countless millions of admirers of Dr. Adenuga and on our own behalf, we wish Dr Adenuga, a happy birthday and countless more years of good health, happiness and continued ascendency on the list of the most successful and wealthiest business icons of this country

TO THE 7TH

FLOOR, O.M.A

-Tunde Ogbeha

My dear Brother and friend, on behalf of my family,i felicitate an amazing Icon adn a living legend in our midst, Otunba Dr Michael Adenuga, Jr, GCON, CSG, CdrLH, on your landmark 70th Birthday Anniversary

Many happy returns of the day, Apesinola of Ijebuland

We wish you sound health, peace of mind and God's richest blessings henceforth

Continue to Glow in Glory!

Senator Tunde Ogbeha, CON, mni, served as the military administrator of Akwa Ibom State and then of the Old Bendel State He was elected senator for the Kogi West constituency of Kogi State from May 1999 to May 2007

OLORI EBI F E L I C I T A T E S

OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SON

-HRM Sikiru Kayode Adetona

The Awujale of Ijebuland and the Awujale-in Council heartily felicitate our illustrious son, Dr. Michael Adenuga Jr. GON,CSG, CdrlH, on his Platinum Jubilee Anniversary.

On behalf of the family, I, the Olori Ebi wish you many more fruitful years in good health and peace of mind

Congratulations, Ishola!

Signed:

For the family, His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Ogbagba II, Awujale of Ijebuland

MIKE ADENUGA HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY TO THE GREAT YORUBA SON

-Ooni Of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II

Ordinarily, Kings hardly pay tributes to anyone but one man deserves an exception He is no other than The Apesin of Ijebuland, and The Ojumo Apesin Oodua in waiting, DR MICHAEL ADENIYI

AGBOLADE ISOLA ADENUGA (GCON)

Many sons and daughters of Yoruba race have been in the forefront of education, business, trading, industry, technology, innovation, entertainment, philanthropy, and much more, for centuries, but Dr Adenuga combines all And he's just in a class of his own It would be difficult to find enough adjectives in the lexicon to qualify this prodigiously successful icon of the 20th and 21st centuries Dr Adenuga is the original man of grace and destiny He is the modern day King Midas who turns everything he touches into gold I have no reservation whatsoever in describing him in superlatives as one of the greatest humans on planet earth at this moment This is not as a result of his stupendous wealth, or already fabled

generosity, but because of his uncommon passion for human capacity development. His humility, panache, style, comportment, never-say-die spirit fascinate me endlessly His character and charisma remain unblemished He exudes and radiates confidence, honor and integrity despite attempts by him to "hide under the parapet " His reputation speaks loudly and eloquently for him

In a community where we sometimes do not know how to celebrate our best and brightest talents, the occasion of Dr Adenuga's 70th birthday provides me the rarest opportunity to celebrate this global icon, a proud descendant of Oduduwa, and to publicly acknowledge, and document, his unmatched support for the divine throne of Ile-Ife, the cradle of civilization

His singular support, early in my reign, provided the solid foundation for the supersonic takeoff of my monarchy Words fail me in describing the extraordinary financial capacity of

Dr Adenuga, which I'm sure is mostly undervalued many who do not know much about him since he is not a noisemaker

God has been extremely kind to Dr Adenuga and he has reciprocated this sumptuous grace by being absolutely kind to mankind and those fortunate to encounter him

This year 2023, in my mind, is the Adenuga year, for making us proud Africans and showing us how men of means and privilege should conduct themselves with humility and decorum in the public space

On behalf of the good people of Ife and the entire Yoruba race, I'm sending our dearest beloved Dr Mike Adenuga Jr the best wishes and the assurances of our admiration and prayers, at all times, from the temple of Oduduwa

Congratulations and happy birthday to this epitome of greatness, DR MICHAEL ADENIYI AGBOLADE ISOLA ADENUGA

HE’S A ROLE MODEL, TRAILBLAZER AND NATIONAL ASSET

-Charles Chukwuma Soludo

Anambra state Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, has congratulated the Executive Chairman of Globacom Limited, Dr. Mike Adenuga on the occasion of his 70th birthday, describing him as a role model and trailblazer in many fields of human endeavour.

In a message of felicitation, Governor Soludo paid glowing tribute to Dr Adenuga for his inspiring efforts at impacting on all aspects of national life, stressing that he has lived a life worthy of emulation Soludo extolled Adenuga’s uncommon patriotism and personal commitment to Nigeria’s development, adding that he has remained an inspiration to many, especially youth at home and in the diaspora

Governor Soludo stated:

“The impact of Adenuga’s visionary engagements in Nigeria’s economy as demonstrated in investments in oil and gas, telecoms, real estate, banking, construction as well as the hospitality industry, sports and entertainment, continue to serve as boosts for the growth and development of the country

“Worthy of note is his personal disposition for wealth creation without undermining the moral and national values Adenuga’s exemplary leadership skill which makes him seek for the best across the country and beyond, irrespective of creed and other mundane considerations, stands him out as a role model and national asset

“It is not just proper to describe Otunba Adenuga as a good Nigerian but rather, a global citizen who has meaningfully impacted on his environment in many respects He is indeed, a change agent

“On this momentous occasion of his 70th birthday, my family and I, on behalf of the good people of Anambra state, wish him a happy celebration and more rewarding years ahead”

AUDACIOUS AND TENACIOUS : THE STORY OF DR. MIKE ADENUGA -A PHENOMENON AT

70

-Michael Effiong & Eric Elezuo

There is no better time than now when the entire world stands in awe and admiration as he clocks the BIG 70 to share the inspirational, audacious and tenacious story of Dr Mike Adenuga Jr GCON,CSG, CdrLH

His story is better felt than told, better expressed than imagined Well known but hardly seen, his story is the kind that will be so legendary that an -ism will be added to his name because his business trajectory and personal philosophy are uniquely his-and therefore worthy of emulation

Some call him The Guru, others refer to him as the The Bull or most recently, the Spirit of Africa, one thing is sure, Adenuga is like the proverbial Iroko tree who is unlike any other In terms of humility, pedigree, magnanimity, wealth

and portfolio of investments, he is one of a kind. In any area of business that he plays, he almost always makes significant impact and the facts are there for all to see

When the Federal Government decided to give indigenous businessmen licences in the dollar-denominated but capital- intensive upstream oil sector, Adenuga was one of those who applied

Unlike others who sold their licences for quick bucks, Adenuga, the visionary, decided to go into full scale prospecting and exploration

The gamble paid off as one of the wells that was being drilled struck oil, making his company, Consolidated Oil, the first indigenous Nigerian company to discover oil in commercial quantity

Ever since that historic event of Tuesday,

December 24, 1991, he had popped many bottles of choice champagnes and sipped some bottles of exotic cognacs to celebrate the execution of many mega deals

Despite his success, Adenuga believes business must have a human face, it must add value, it must have an impact and ultimately, be socially responsible These are some of the core values that he considers before throwing his money into any investment That is not all, he also firmly believes that the world is a field of battle and you must prepare to win, not some time but all the time He’s a mountain climber like the Tibetan Monk, who believes that you must survive all odds to get to the top

Incredible tales have been told about his amazing capacity for work He is known to sleep very little when there is work to be done and he expects his staff to imbibe the same work ethic Though generous, he is said to have zero tolerance for incompetence or sloppiness. With him, you must be on your toes every time. It is therefore no surprise that his targeted investments and the grace of God Almighty have placed him well ahead of the authentic list of billionaires His never-give-up spirit is well known and it is this force that has driven him to achieve feats many mortals will think are impossible In the entire continent of Africa, Dr Mike Adenuga is in a class of his own-and therefore, it is inconceivable to actually put him in the same sentence or list as

any of the others He is without any shadow of doubt, Africa’s hidden treasure

The reason is simple: Unlike many others whose worth can be calculated via their listed companies and assets, Adenuga’s intimidating wealth is usually in the realm of speculations, they are mostly privately-owned- which is reason he is usually given any position that meets the fancy of the publications

Ololade Olaoye wrote, “Let us face it, if we count the numbers, dollar for dollar, Mike Adenuga would sweep everyone off the park But we are in the world of paid narratives and agenda, where you can buy your place on the Rich List and those who already merited their place there don’t mind paying a few bucks to be overvalued But if you ever become a billionaire, be this one:

the billionaire who doesn’t care for the validation of Rich lLsts and the media The one who touches lives here and there, far and beyond And ultimately, the one who’s more about the truth of the matter, than the narratives written by others We all can’t be the Spirit of Africa but trust me, we can learn a lot from his values and essence ” We concur with this assertion, truth be told, he has no rival Let’s then take you into the world of this symbol of endurance, entrepreneur extraordinaire and self-made business titan who is certainly one of the wealthiest black men in the world.

HIS EARLY LIFE

Born on April 29, 1953 to Oloye Michael Adenuga Sr and Chief (Mrs) Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga, the Yeyeoba of Ijebuland, Otun Gbadebo of Ikija and Iyalaje of Ijebu-Igbo, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr was not a silver spoon kid but his parents were comfortable

The indigene of Oru, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State was born and schooled in Ibadan He attended the famous Ibadan Grammar School He had his university education in the United States He majored in Business administration with emphasis on Marketing While in school, to augment the allowance sent by his parents, he worked as a cabbie (Taxi Driver), putting in many hours of work a week This culture of backbreaking hard work shaped him for his ambitious business adventures later in life

HIS FAMILY

Dr Mike Adenuga Jr is married to Mrs Titi Adenuga (nee Adewale) She provides the comfort and stability that such an incredibly busy man requires His children are Oyin, Babajide (Bobo), Paddy, Bella, Eniola, Bimbo, Sade and ‘Niyi Jnr He also has grandchildren This close knit family members will be the ones around him today as he celebrates his birthday

HIS BUSINESSES

As soon he finished his studies in the United States, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr returned to Nigeria His mother was into business, and it was under her tutelage that he began trading It is probably because of the tremendous impact that she had in his life as Business Adviser that he adored her so much Before she passed on in 2005, he dotted on her

Dr Adenuga Jr, who is the youngest of his parent’s five children, began by selling removable car stereos Probably sensing his business acumen, he was allowed to run the family saw mill factory in Ogun State

He began to steadily grow the business First, he went into the importation of saw mill equipment, then veered into importation of beer eventually hitting it big with his importation of lace.

Recounting those early days, the businessman extraordinaire said he was returning home from a trip in the United States when he missed his British Airways flight and had to fly Swiss Air On that flight ,he was lucky to sit next to the owner of one of the biggest lace manufacturing companies in Austria

He, it was, who convinced him before the flight touched down to give lace importation a shot He took this advice and the reward was good Later, he also went into tomato puree and vegetable oil. He was a sort of Jack of all trades and master of all By the age of 26, he was already a millionaire

As he grew older with more financial muscle, he decided to streamline his operations and look for investments in key sectors of the economy to concentrate on That was how he began to structure the Mike Adenuga Group where he is Chairman.

When General Ibrahim Babangida decided to break the monopoly of foreigners in the oil

industry and encouraged Nigerians to participate, Adenuga was one of those who took up the challenge His company, Consolidated Oil applied for and was granted some oil blocs It was a very risky decision and even his mother advised him against it He spent over $100 million on evaluation, interpretation and drilling His courage and tenacity paid off when Consolidated Oil became the first Nigerian company to explore, discover and produce oil in large commercial quantities Now called Conoil Producing Limited, it is currently the leading indigenous oil and gas exploration and producing company in Africa.

Years later in year 2000, he bought over the moribund N a t i o n a l O i l a n d C h e m i c a l s C o m p a n y (NOLCHEM), taking over the government’s majority shares He has since injected fresh funds into the company and rechristened it Conoil Plc

Conoil Plc has over 450 retail outlets all over the country and is the acknowledged leader of

development in modern retail outlets such as mega stations and non-space pumps in new-look retail outlets It is the market leader in aviation fuels

Adenuga’s most ambitious project yet is in telecommunications. His company, Globacom is the Second National Operator in the country The first is the government-owned NITEL It is obvious that with Globacom, Adenuga is not interested in short-term profit, he is there for the long haul and of course, his desire is to give Nigerians and Africans world class telecommunication services When he launched the network, he was two years behind the others, Adenuga’s entry strategy was to be innovative and aggressive He waged a price war, democratized and demystified telephone services. Today, the ultimate risk taker has taken Globacom from the nadir to the zenith of the industry

Glo was the only operator in Africa to launch its operations on the superior 2 5G network

which enabled the convergence of voice, data and multimedia technologies

But more importantly, it launched operations on Per Second Billing, thus ensuring subscribers only pay for actual time spent on a call instead of the practice of billing customers N50 per minute even when the call cuts off at just 2 seconds It also crashed the cost of SIM card from N30,000 to N6,999 and later N100, thereby making it possible for low income earners, students and artisans to own GSM lines today It is now one of the most recognizable brands across the continent

The network currently has over 60 million subscribers, and is the most preferred network in Nigeria, with a vast network of already laid fibre crisscrossing all parts of the country

The Globacom network comprehensively covers over 400,000 communities, all the 36 states and all major highways Globacom has highly successful subsidiary networks operating in other West African countries. Reputed to be

very hands-on in the operations of his businesses, Dr Adenuga, whose daughter, the cerebral Mrs Bella Disu is the Executive Vice Chairman, Globacom, still gets briefs on the day-to-day running of his business empire

Glo 1-This is the only solely-owned high capacity submarine cable with connection to the USA and running from the UK through African and European countries It has been and continues to be a huge commercial success at the heart of the socio-economic development of Nigeria It is remarkable that it is a Nigerian company that has pulled off this ambitious project One of Adenuga’s close associates said the idea of building a submarine cable berthed when the entrepreneur went on a business trip to Paris, the French capital, sometime around 2008

While there, he found out that telephone calls to Nigeria were epileptic unlike the connection between France and other parts of Europe When he made enquiries about what could be done to solve the problem, he was told it was to have an international submarine cable There and then, Dr Adenuga decided to build Glo 1, and the rest is now history The project is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and foresight of ‘The Guru’

Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr also has vast holdings in the banking, real estate and infrastructure sectors of Nigeria

It is not hard to imagine that Adenuga is the

richest man in Nigeria, and indeed Africa, and of course when one quantifies wealth in terms of liquidity, and not stocks He is unmatchable HIS

SUPPORT FOR SPORTS

His passion for giving is not only personal, the culture has also been imbibed by his companies especially Globacom Through Globacom, he became the biggest supporter of football in Africa

For so many years, the company supported the development of Nigerian sports through the sponsorship of the Nigerian Premier League and the national football teams of Nigeria when no other corporate organisation wanted to touch the assets.

Globacom spent billions of naira in developing the Nigerian league and clubs, and this culminated in Enyimba Football Club winning the prestigious Champions League twice in a row, while the Super Eagles won the Nations Cup in 2013

In that same 2013, the company signed a N1.9 billion deal with Nigeria’s league Management Committee The company also did same for other associations and major leagues in Africa

Dr Mike Adenuga Jr also started a football revolution with the sponsorship and transformation of the yearly Glo/CAF Footballer of the Year Awards He is the undisputed pillar of sports in Africa

HIS GIANT STRIDES IN CULTURE AND CREATIVE INDUSTRY

Nigeria’s entertainment industry has also received a massive boost through Adenuga’s love for the arts expressed through Globacom

No company in the nation’s private sector in the last two decades, has consistently invested largely in Nigeria’s entertainment industry like Globacom Limited

Adenuga’s vision is reflected in Glo’s youthdriven ecosystem There is no strata of Nigeria’s entertainment industry that you will not find the signature of Glo on it: from music to acting to comedy to sports, etcetera, the list is long

Glo has come to be regarded as a network of stars No corporate organization has had the kind of constellation of entertainment heavyweights as it brand ambassadors as Globacom. All through the years, the cream of the country’s musicians, footballers, literary icons, actors, actresses and comedians have either be signed on as brand ambassadors or featured in the company’s commercials. Some celebrities who have graced Glo’s Hall of Fame include: King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Osita Osadebe, Oliver d’ Coque, Prof Wale Soyinka, Yusuf Maitama Sule, Nelly Uchendu, Onyeka Onwenu, D’Banj, MI Abaga, PSquare Others are Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Juliet Ibrahim, Matter Ankomah, Davido, Wizkid, Flavour, Gordons, Basketmouth, I go Dye,

Teniola, Brother Shaggi, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Osaze Odemwingie, Joselyn Dumas, Michael Essien, Anthony Joshua, etcetera

While the commercials that featured these stars helped to market the Glo brand and make it a household name, the partnership benefited these celebrities very well as it served as strategic public relations for their individual brands and its attendant financial gains

So far, no corporate organization has touched the lives of these celebrities like Glo The advent of Glo has really been a blessing to celebrities in the industry and beyond The most interesting factor is that Glo is still in the business of investing in the industry despite excruciating economic realities in the country

Nigeria is a reservoir of talents when it comes to entertainment, and it seems Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr understands the nitty-gritty of talents discovery, and spotting hidden treasures, especially as it effects the youths

This explains Glo’s humongous investments

in talent hunt shows in the last eighteen years It has sponsored shows like: Rock ‘n’ Rule, GloNaiga Sings, Laffta Fest, and the world number one music singing talent reality TV show, X Factor, which birthed in Africa for the first time in 2013 Others are Slide and Bounce concert, an entertainment tour which went round all the geopolitical zones of the country as well as Glo Mega Music Show and Glo’s Battle of the Year, which gave the winners a life-changing N9 million prize money, a Toyota Hiace bus valued at N25 million and other prizes.

Similarly, the nation’s art and culture have also been positively touched by Globacom From Ojude Oba in Ijebu-Ode, Ofala in Onitsha, Lisabi in Abeokuta, Imeori in Abriba, Oru-Owerri in Imo state, Afia- Orlu In Nnewi, Anambra State and Abia –Ugwa in Isialangwa in Abia State among others The company has through sponsoring the festivals not only brought them to international limelight, but has also turned the host cities into major tourist attractions

HIS PASSION FOR PHILANTHROPY

On a personal level, Mike Adenuga can be described as the most generous Nigerian alive He gives ceaselessly For this angel of mercy, giving is living

Describing Adenuga’s large heart in an article, The Boss Newspaper Publisher, Dele Momodu, wrote “Everyman should wake up and pray to meet and become good friends with the Spirit of Africa Trust me, it is worth every second of it Just imagine a man who dashes out the same kind of cars he drives to friends

“He buys these expensive cars in multiples I have been a beneficiary a few times, so I know. I have a friend who got a Range Rover while his wife got another jeep How nicer and kinder can one be? No amount of money is too much for Adenuga to shell out on his family and friends And he really does not expect anything in return. If you have done him a favour then you are truly triply, not doubly blessed, since Dr Adenuga never forgets such favours and offers recompense

even beyond your wildest dreams Dr Adenuga believes that his friends are entitled to the same kind of material things that he wishes for and buys for himself He has no jealous or mean streak in him in that respect”

Adenuga’s former close aide, Bode Opesietan also stated “Dr Adenuga’s generosity is legendary He gives personal rewards like no other billionaire If God has given you this kind of resources, it is not for you and your family alone” he would say”

“All year round he splashes generous gifts on extended family, friends, associates, staff and the less privileged He has a long list of beneficiaries he touches with life-transforming gifts He is detailed

and exquisitely tasteful, not only in the quality of gifts but also the manner the gifts are presented”

Also during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adenuga was the first to donate N1.5 billion to fight the dreaded coronavirus scourge He set the stage for other Nigerians to contribute to the management of the scourge That is typical of the Guru, he leads, others follow According to Adenuga “How much money can one individual or his family enjoy? You must spread it and touch lives that is what brings true happiness and joy What’s the point if your friend is wealthy and it doesn’t show on his friends”.

Adenuga’s vision is reflected in Glo’s youthdriven ecosystem. There is no strata of Nigeria’s entertainment industry that you will not find the signature of Glo on it: from music to acting to comedy to sports, etcetera, the list is long.

’

There is nothing more to add When it comes to philanthropy, Adenuga is in a class of his own! Indeed generosity is in his DNA!

HIS PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

Dr Adenuga’s morals and proclivity are dictated by his abundant wealth of experience in life He’s a very intelligent man who is vastly read and widely travelled As a result, he not only understands the innate cruelty of man to fellow man, he has also on occasions experienced this firsthand to his surprise and chagrin These experiences have shaped his thoughts and actions

Dr Adenuga loves integrity and loyalty Because he hardly goes out, he is able to monitor people and events quietly from his desk and home Aside from this, He has had to navigate his way through the murky waters of Nigerian politics Dr Adenuga avoids and shuns politics like the plague He does not believe that he must be involved with politics in order for his businesses to survive or thrive

All he campaigns for is an avenue to do business on a level playing field because he knows that he can survive and outlast most people He considers himself one of the fittest and the best, if not the fittest and the best since he is methodical, calculating and highly industrious and energetic

As he says often, he is hiding his head under the parapet as he is non-aligned and does not want this to be mistaken for support for one side or the other He knows Nigeria and Nigerians very intimately, and does not want to attract unnecessary attention to himself or his business

He is a sagacious and very methodical man, who rewards excellence He does not suffer fools gladly Most of his offices around the world are open 24 hours There is always somebody to take his calls When he has a brain wave, his adrenaline level pumps on over drive and he activates action immediately Everyone who knows Dr Adenuga knows he hates the word impossible He is a workaholic, pure and simple

HIS LIFE STYLE

You can call him an enigma and you will not be wrong He is a very shy gentleman, a trait that many mistake for arrogance

Before Globacom, Dr Adenuga Jnr was one of Nigeria’s silent billionaires He was making his money without fanfare Then came Glo, and he became one of the most recognizable Nigerians alive Till date, he hardly attends public functions and even if he does he sneaks in without any fuss and leaves even before the Master of Ceremonies recognizes his presence.

Despite this elusive persona, those who have met him can attest to his ebullient nature He is one man who catches his fun when he is in the mood He has very fine and elegant taste A connoisseur through and through

Contrary to what many think, he still finds time to unwind most times only in the company of his inner circle of friends and family Dr Adenuga is neither ostentatious or extravagant in his style and dress For him moderation is the value of life In the early days, it was obvious he loved safari suits, but these days nice flowing shirts which mostly have his personal crest emblazoned on them are the norm Of course like all billionaires, he loves powerful cars, nothing over the top or attention-seeking And as per flying, he has the accoutrement that fits his jet set, super executive lifestyle, which means he has long forgotten what it looks like to fly commercial

HIS LOVE FOR FRANCE

Dr Mike Adenuga has always had a great affection for France And for its language and culture And as a great admirer of the high ideals and achievements of the people of France, he often visits the country, where he also owns property, for extended visits In his business dealings too, he has maintained a productive and valuable relationship with French interests

It was out of this desire, love and affection for France that he ardently supported the development of Alliance Française in Lagos, in the wish to see that its activities, efforts and initiatives could be enhanced, and its reach and appeal increased

In endowing the concept and construction of the elegant new institute, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr has affirmed his deeply held commitment to the ongoing friendship between the people of France and the people of Nigeria, and is proud to have been able to facilitate and foster that friendship through the building of the Mike Adenuga Centre The brand new, ultra-modern Mike Adenuga Centre was unveiled by French President, Emmanuel Macron in 2019

It is for this great act and his humongous investments that the French president deemed it fit to bestow on him the country’s highest national honour

HIS HONOURS ROLL

For his contribution to economies and communities across the globe, Dr Mike Adenuga has been appreciated with so many awards, traditional titles and honours The most prominent are the national honours from Nigeria,

Ghana and France

In Nigeria, he holds the highest civilian honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), this honour was hitherto reserved for mostly vice presidents

In Ghana, he was awarded the highest civilian honour of Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG) According to then President John Mahama, who conferred the indefatigable businessman with the honour at a state ceremony: ”You have touched many lives in Ghana You have provided employment for our teeming youths, artistes, footballers and many more. I am particularly proud of you This award is our way of a saying a simple thank you ”

The entrepreneur extraordinaire was also decorated with the Chavalier de la Legion d Honnuer (CdrLH), the highest National honour of France, by French President, Emmanuel Macron

Explaining why the French Government decided to confer the honour on Adenuga, President Macron, who described the consummate businessman as a true model of Africa, noted that he had contributed immensely to the African and French economy

He also applauded Adenuga for his promotion of the French Language and culture in Nigeria There is no shadow of doubt that Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr is the most accomplished Nigerian businessman of our time

Dr Adenuga is many things and more, and today, we raise a toast to the impressive African treasure and business phenomenon Happy 70th birthday sir!

All he campaigns for is an avenue to do business on a level playing field because he knows that he can survive and outlast most people

‘ ’

MIKE ADENUGA A T 7 0 A B O O K T O INSPIRE OUR YOUTHS

-Mike Awoyinfa

Exactly 70 years today, Africa’s business guru and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Dr Mike Adenuga, GCON, came into the world via Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan, born to Pa Michael Agbolade Adenuga, an educationist and his entrepreneurial wife, Mama Oyindamola whose business genes and can-do attitude the baby will inherit and go on to extraordinarily conquer the world of business

The arrival of Mike brought unparalleled joy to the Adenuga family According to Mrs E O Osunsade, Mike Adenuga’s late eldest sister, their parents who got married in 1937 for a long time did not have a boy “It took

roughly ten years after marriage that the first boy, Demola, came,” she told me while interviewing her for a book on his famous younger brother “For them, having a second son (Mike) made them very happy. I don’t know why Prior to that, my mother had lost some pregnancies Actually, Mike came in as a gift at a point they were trying to end having children My father decided to name him after himself. My father ’s name was Mike Agbolade His son’s name is Michael Adeniyi As the last child, he was given some extra care than we had I remember him as a charming, chubby handsome young man ”

Judging from the monumental successes Mike Adenuga, the founder of the Nigerian telecoms brand, Glo has made and the fact that he owned two banks while still in his thirties, some influential Nigerians think, it’s high time Mike Adenuga invited a good biographer-just like Steve Jobs did by inviting one of my mentors: Walter Isaacson, a former editor of TIME magazine and CNN top shot-to objectively capture the story of his life with a view to publishing it into a book that would inspire Nigerian youths to follow in his footsteps and using his success strategies to become the next Mike Adenuga

Nigeria’s former military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida say such a book is long overdue “I am sure it would provide a treasure trove of ideas from a man with the Midas touch who has a lot to teach our youths today that hard work, persistence, creativity and above all, integrity pays,” General Babangida told me in his home in Minna. “He is not just a good businessman, he is a good man with a

good heart He is blessed by God with vision, wisdom, riches and compassion The world needs more Mike Adenuga ”

Femi Akinrinade was Adenuga’s first-ever business partner when they were involved in constructing the Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna, among some other military projects around 1977. They had known each as students in America “Even in his early days

as a student in America, you could see signs of his future greatness,” Akinrinade recalls “You could see it even in him then in his younger days that this one is going to go far Because once he takes a decision on something, he goes ahead to do it He is the only friend and a brother I know has never asked me for a favour. Even when you talk about his background and relate it with having to drive taxis in America his dad was a schoolteacher, his mum was a big-time trader and among his friends, when they were growing up, he was always the one with the money to spend on friends ”

“A book on Mike Adenuga,” Akinrinade continues, “if you can research it very well, you will see the story of a small boy, growing up in Ibadan, who went to America in search of the Golden Fleece He goes to the US and over the years, he was able to sort himself out and build himself into a situation where he can come back and use the knowledge He came back and instead of taking a job, right from the onset, decided to do business and is able to move from zero to hero. Children should get the opportunity to read about it and be inspired by it Because sometimes when we sit down with our kids and tell them what we went through and the way things used to be, they laugh and say: ‘Daddy, this is a fictional story you are telling us It is not possible ’ My children were born in England, they went to school in England, they attended university there It is very difficult to believe a lot of things that went on So if such kids can have the opportunity to read a factual story of a man like Mike Adenuga who struggled through odds to be where he is today, then it might be an inspiration to them that they can do it too ”

Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, another friend of Adenuga from their days in America says: “A book on Mike Adenuga is long overdue Mike is an important Nigerian figure There is no question about that. Any country that has a man like Mike Adenuga must be particularly proud of him He has done so much for this country His investments alone are enormous No Indian government would allow one of its key entrepreneurs to go through the rubbish that Mike Adenuga went through (leading to his going on self-exile) They would protect him to the very end But ours is a country where if you do well, it becomes a problem I think Mike is a pride, not just for his generation but for our times and to our country. He has invested so much here. He could have taken his business out of Nigeria and go somewhere else, but I think he loves his country Mike deserves to be celebrated Anytime, anywhere ”

On that note, let me join the world in wishing the great Mike Adenuga happy 70th birthday May you live long on earth in good health And may your legacies outlive you

MIKE ADENUGA AT 70 THE HALLM ARK OF HIS PERSONALIT Y

-Folashade Abiodun Omotade

Icongratulate Dr Michael Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga (Jnr ), GCON, CSG, CdrLH, as he joins the septuagenarian club

Happy 70th Birthday, Dr Mike Adenuga! Today, we celebrate the remarkable life of an extraordinary individual whose vision and

perseverance have made a profound impact on the world As we honour this special day, let us reflect on your remarkable achievements and the indelible legacy you have created.

Your entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication have propelled you to incredible

heights, establishing you as a beacon of success and an inspiration to many Your remarkable contributions to the telecommunications industry and beyond have revolutionized the way we connect and communicate, transforming lives and empowering communities

Beyond your professional accomplishments, you have demonstrated great philanthropy, consistently giving back and uplifting others Through your charitable initiatives, you have touched countless lives, providing opportunities, healthcare, and education to those in need Your generosity and compassion exemplify the true meaning of leadership and make the world a better place Today, we not only celebrate your remarkable achievements but also the person you are-kind, humble, and wise Your integrity and values serve as a guiding light, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps and strive for excellence

Globacom, which you started 20 years ago, has become one of the largest Nigerian-owned telecommunication companies What you started as a small entrepreneurial idea, has become a household name around the world, and we have you, Dr. Adenuga to thank for that This is an undeniable proof that you are a very hardworking, focused and forward-thinking man There also some of your qualities that are not so well known however I feel qualified to speak about this as I have known you since the early 80s, when, you were still living in Ibadan Back then, you and my late husband were close friends. Beyond being a supremely successful businessman, you are also a kind-hearted, generous and decent man Surprisingly, you are also quite shy and you don’t boast about who you are and what you do to raise up other people You are one man who takes delight in helping people, and you would do so without expecting anything in return Of course, your style of charity is so admirable that no third party will get to know about it

These are, indeed, the hallmarks of Dr Adenuga’s personality And he has always exhibited these great traits and characters, right from his younger days. For a man like Dr. Adenuga, the sky is not even the limit It is his starting point I pray to God to bless him with stronger health, longer life, more joy and even more prosperity in the future, Amen

T R I B U T E T O T H E

‘BULL’ AT 70

-Prince Bisi Olatilo

Ifirst met Otunba Mike Adenuga in the summer of 1975 in Brooklyn, New York, through our common late friend, Dele Giwa He was at that time a young ‘hippishlooking’ 22-year old, who was visiting, it turned out, from his base at the Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, where he was studying Business Management My memory of those years is hazy now; but I recall that he and Dele-Giwa, were, in between summer school, engaged in the driving of ‘gypsy’ cabs!

Then, our paths crossed again in 1991, when I was at the Daily Times as Managing Director and he had become, apart from owing other strings of businesses, the founder of

Devcom Merchant Bank At that time, the Daily Times was sourcing for funds to develop a new corporate head office at Kakawa Street in Lagos. Otunba was determined that Devcom should provide the funding for the project What was most striking for me at the time, and remains etched in my memory was his doggedness, considering also that he was only 38! I recall that in his drive to secure the business for Devcom, Mike was in touch with me practically on a daily basis, for weeks on end!! He was unrelenting Unfortunately, just when we were about to close on the deal, our common friend, President Babangida, relieved me of my duties at the Daily Times Then, with the inception of GLO, our relationship

blossomed again, thanks to the modest role I played in persuading Professor Wole Soyinka to agree to do one of the earliest advertisement materials for the nascent mobile company

In the intervening years since our first meeting in 1975 to date, our relationship has remained, surprisingly, enduring At first contact, Mike Adenuga has an uneasy calm to him, one that even betrays a touch of humility, especially when such contacts are older friends But, as I have learnt over the years, that perception could be dangerously misleading! Beneath that outer calm is a volcanic restless energy that is in a permanent state of flux, constantly in search of new business frontiers to capture and conquer

Unfortunately, the perverse and erroneous assumption that Mike Adenuga stumbled on wealth only because he had a head-start from his priviledged pedigree or because of his early close links to the Nigerian military seems to have, somehow, percolated. But that misses the point, and obscures the important fundamentals about his life that should engage us today as Mike, at 70, gradually commences that inevitable ascent of the elders’ hill!! Even without the benefit of the brilliant biography of Adenuga by Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe, Mike Adenuga: Africa’s Business Guru, it is clear to all today that this bundle of enigma called Mike Adenuga is one of the most successful African businessmen of our time What, in my view, should occupy our minds today is to seek and find out how this “young” 70-year did it!!! How did he come from where I first met him in 1975 to becoming one of the legends of our time? Are there lessons to be learnt from his example, his style and precepts

For Mike Adenuga, business, any business, is a series of m a n o e u v r e s , something akin to a warfare that needs to be pursued with a g g r e s s i v e determination and unwavering energy As he himself declared to Newswatch editors in a rare 1992 incisive press interview, “Essentially, running a business is similar to leading a military operation…. The overriding objective is to out-manoeuvre the opposing forces, to out-smart the other party; to out-perform the competition; to out-wit the other guy, to achieve This may sound harsh But that’s the way it is” It is instructive to note that in the long preparation for the launch of GLO, Mike and his staff, whom he called the “rollout soldiers,” met every Sunday, from 9am to past mid-night for one full year, plotting the strategy for the final roll-out of the mobile company

Apparently, Mike Adenuga, who was born (April 29) under the Zodiac sign of Taurus

revels in, and imbibes the astrological stereotype of that Zodiac sign, the Bull! Like a charging, rampaging Bull that is determined and energetic, Mike is constantly driven by an intrepid aggressive, domineering mind-set to succeed and excel, all the time Failure is never an option in his scheme of things All

such attributes as his stupendous generosity, his near obsession with acquiring any new knowledge that would be useful in the course of his business, his love for delicious food and good wine and his undying love for his family and children. Take, for instance, his love for good food and excellent wine Mike is the ultimate dream of every good chef, who measures his culinary skills and achievements by the consuming capacity of his clientele! I testify that at those rare moments when he came visiting at our Victoria Island residence, after he would have put a call across to “Aunty Sade to get ready,” dining with Mike, in the company of other friends, was not just pure pleasure, it was always an elemental performance!!!

Ironically, there is something of an a g r e e a b l e contradiction to Mike Adenuga’s life Here, we have one of the most public figures of our country, who also founded one of the most public of our institutions, but who is hardly ever seen at public events! Mike Adenuga cultivates his privacy like an art In a society where the monied class does everything to provoke adulation and ovation with out-flung hands, Mike Adenuga has continuously shied away, preferring to remain diffidently reclusive

who have interacted with him in, or even outside the business terrain testify to the fact that his capacity for work is legendary

To these attributes of fabulous energy and domineering zeal should be added a number of others, too numerous to be outlined in a short tribute such as this. There are, for instance,

As he turns 70, we all wish him the very best and many more years of outstanding service to a country he loves dearly There is no question that he has set standards by which Nigerian businesses would be judged for a long time to come Considering how early he started out as a businessman and entrepreneur, he is, perhaps, one of the ‘oldest’ most s u c c e s s f u l businessmen of his calibre still around, and that itself is a milestone worth celebrating today, and always His enviable place in the history of our country is assured because he has earned the right to it

Happy Birthday, Otunba. Long may you reign and glow!

MIKE ADENUGA JNR PATRIOT FULL OF GUTS AND VISION

The youngest of a brood of children of a famously strict educationist and clergyman, is an enigma to some, but anecdotal accounts of his formative years help to better situate Dr. Mike Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga Jnr One of such well-worn stories was that young Mike Adenuga sold part of what was standard issue comestibles to high school mates from his over stock Truth is, as his surviving older siblings testify, “Niyi”, who led the family morning prayers, was not as inclined to bible studies as their towering father rammed down as

he was to mama’s thriving commerce

Amongst items Mike Adenuga’s mother traded was the tin, rectangular boxes for school pupils-now replaced in modern times by backpacks, which she fabricated and sold to schools within Ibadan and environs Mike, her youngest son was one of her many vendors He always wanted to work for what was provided for him and siblings for free Unmistakably, those were early signs of an entrepreneurial spirit, which he carried on to his college years in the United States

The Guru, the Bull, the Grandmaster or

simply Chairman; all these aliases by which Dr Adenuga (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger GCON, Commander of the Legion of Honour - the highest national award bestowed by France) is known, do not sufficiently capture the impact which the man, who turns 70 years old today, has had on business and society in Nigeria and far beyond Adenuga, mega-successful entrepreneur, innovator and patriot to the core sees the world as a huge canvas of opportunities on which men with guts and vision can paint masterfully He

imagines the world as a vineyard from which the sweet wine of success is squeezed by only those who believe, and are ready to work relentlessly

Adenuga’s journey through the harsh and unpredictable modern business vineyard has brought well deserved rewards for him and transformed the landscape in banking, real estate, communication and oil and gas where his trail blazing efforts first came to public notice

The ability to spot opportunities and challenge conventions whilst seeking to extend frontiers make him at once enigmatic and charismatic

The nation’s banking halls were fraught with long queues of customers in the 1990s until Adenuga led the way with his Equitorial Trust Bank to make banking hall transactions a pleasant experience Conoil

Producing became the first wholly indigenous oil company to discover and produce crude oil from acreage in the creeks of the NigerDelta in 1991 whilst other license holders were busy shopping for foreign partners. Glo Mobile entered the market in 2003 as the only indigenous Telecoms player, and stirred up the market in such positive ways that Nigerian consumers of mobile telephone services were the ultimate beneficiaries of better pricing structure He has held the national banner aloft and proudly in the instances where foreign companies were direct competition and could only have been repatriating the gains of local business A very strong advocate of indigenous effort, Adenuga’s triumph over foreign behemoths in the enterprise privatization exercise by the Federal Government is legendary

For Adenuga, enterprise for selfenrichment is nothing

until it creates benefits for others The Adenuga collective group of companies employs thousands of Nigerians and parade some of the longest serving employees No Nigerian or Nigerian enterprise has supported local sports and entertainment industry the way he has done. The Mike Adenuga Foundation promotes business studies at the Ogun State University and the University of Lagos where he endows generously the School of Entrepreneurial Studies

Still, in quiet sorties, he supports veterans from varied fields who have given the best of their prime to Nigeria He has received high recognition at home and abroad for his worthy contributions to business and philanthropy

He will be celebrated today as a patriot who, against many odds, has shown tact, courage, vision and invention, which shines through and projects hope for others in an ecosystem sometimes heavy with difficulties and doubt. He should deservedly be celebrated

70 CHEERS TO THE SPIRIT MIKE ADENUGA AT 70

By Richard Mofe Damijo

How does one begin to talk about this paragon well known across many verses as the Spirit of Africa And even when one gets started, how is it possible to say everything you want to say about this White hat in a few words I can only endeavour but caveat that no number of words penned down will do justice to this luminary

There is a mystery to this great man but no ambiguity as he says it always as it is and is not given to overstatement of any kind. I Met you about 32 years ago in the company of my late wife, May Ellen Ezekiel, and my good friend, Dele Momodu, and since then I don’t think I have seen you again more than three times Yet in all of these, you are probably the one man who has impacted my life the most

As an actor, I was very sure of how I wanted to ply my trade and how I wanted to be regarded by society It didn’t take too long for you to come into my life to revalidate how I always wanted to be seen One of many was the birth of Globacom where you made me a brand ambassador for life as it were because I have never known any other brand that can regard me the way you have done over the years even when you have no reason to

You are the one Man that gives a person a stupendous gift and then it takes a lifetime to even see you to say thank you, that is if you even

remember at the time of thanking you what exactly you are being thanked for. Your simplicity is an essential mark of your greatness, and your consistency has made you a pacesetter in every sphere you have ventured in

I recall asking you over the phone for a job for my wife many years ago and you granting my wish without a second thought Today, over 12 years later my wife still works for Glo where she has grown immensely both professionally and individually

I dare not open the box of others that you have equally impacted I may be forced to write a book From entertainers to sports men and women and people from all works of life whose lives and careers you have transformed without so much as a glimpse of you

As you turn 70, I take immense pleasure in knowing that this will not be a burdensome weight of accumulated years but a rebirth I know that the next decade will be one of pacesetting innovations and I am exhilarated to be a passenger on this journey with you

On behalf of my grateful, thankful family and my humble self, that you have refused to stop calling Bros , when the full Warri nation knows you are the `Bros(xt) of all brosses` We just want to say happy 70th birthday to the one and only MAA! Respect

A BULL THAT MAKES, NOT BREAKS…

S P E C I A L T R I B U T E T O MICHAEL AGBOLADE ADENUGA JNR . @70) -Amaju Pinnick

If you make your first million naira at the age of 26, selling lace materials and distributing soft drinks, it is unlikely that more than a few visioners would see you becoming, some decades later, one of your continent’s richest men, with vast interests in both streams of the oil sector, banking, telecommunications, entertainment and other areas, with tremendous impact in the lives of billions of people globally

I have never been ashamed to confess that Michael Agbolade Adenuga Jnr is one of my role models – a quintessential man of honour, philanthropist without compare, a man who radiates success and accomplishments of the highest grade, a man who sniffs opportunities even before they appear, and who is used to breaking new grounds and charting new frontiers

A man of class, charisma and character, yet simple and humane almost to a fault He is the only ‘Bull’ I know who makes people and does not break anyone His DNA is to inspire people; I have never seen him shatter anyone Agbolade Adenuga Jnr is a firm believer in the Nigerian Project: one who has staked his all playing strongly, faithfully and adroitly in the Nigeria business space, breaking myths and uncovering new opportunities, where men of little faith and slim conviction only see walls and obstacles and hurdles That faith, plus audacity, perseverance and endless innovation, has seen him uproot odds and hindrances in almost every sector to prosper, and to be ranked today as one of the world’s most remarkable self-made men

Born to Oloye Michael Agbolade Adenuga

Snr and Omoba Juliana Oyindamola Onashile on 29 April 1953, the junior Michael had his secondary education at Ibadan Grammar School

a citadel famous for its prowess on the football field, and which perhaps explains his love (as well as decades of support, encouragement and sponsorship) of the ‘beautiful game’

After working as a taxi driver to fund his university education, (with degrees from the Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, New York, the junior Michael decided to give full vent to the business streak he took from his mother ’s genes In 1990, he got his first oil drilling license, and the following year, his Consolidated Oil (ConOil) struck oil in commercial quantity in the shallow waters of Ondo State – the first indigenous company to do so

The early noughties birthed a new vista in telecommunications In 1999, Adenuga was issued a GSM license It was revoked the following year Undaunted, he took part in another auction in 2003 and was handed another licence that gave birth to Globacom – Nigeria’s biggest indigenous telecommunications firm and perhaps the biggest in the West African region, with large footprints in Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire

It was not for nothing that he was named the African Entrepreneur of the Year at the very first edition of African Telecoms Awards in 2007 His humanitarian nature is most underplayed The people of Ondo, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom States will testify that his ConOil remains the

most community-friendly oil exploration and distribution company around, with a string of genuine, people-interest development projects all over His companies have continued to support, sponsor and encourage football (nay, the sports industry in general) over the decades, with billions spent on the League and the National Teams In the Continental, millions of people still refer to the African Football Awards as Glo-Caf Awards, due to his company’s many years of uninterrupted sponsorship and upliftment of the annual event, for which Adenuga himself got a soul-lifting CAF award

On a personal level, I am a testifier to his magnanimity and keen interest in the upliftment of other individuals and projects, and pursuits that advance the cause and reputation of the Nigeria nation While campaigning to win a seat on the FIFA Council – a panel of only 37 people who constitute the highest decision-making organ in world football – and having to travel all over Africa by chartered aircraft due to the coronavirus pandemic, I received a call from Michael Agbolade Adenuga

Omere, how do I support you?” At that period, every support to the project was significant, and he contributed to helping me win the seat, making me the third Nigerian to make it to that hallowed panel With a sense of honour and privilege, I am pleased to wish this extremely successful man a happy and blessed Platinum Jubilee Anniversary May you continue to break new grounds in divine health, sound mind and peace at heart

MIKE ADENUGA : 70 TIMES A GENIUS -Bode Opeseitan

Prologue

This is a celebration of an exceptional African business icon and enigma from an insider perspective I have interacted with the billionaire founder of Globacom and Conoil, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr , for over three decades, 16 years of which I worked for him, often at close quarters This is an unrestrained chronicling of his unique attributes; with anecdotes and perspectives you probably have never read elsewhere

The Enigma

It was one of those activity-choked days when his meetings lasted till very late in the night. He had, a few moments earlier, closed his last meeting for the day with senior managers in his signature style “Well, everyone to himself, God for us all,” he said with reverence, yet commandingly and reassuringly With everyone released, he treated the remaining files on his

desk, passed them to his secretary and crossed over from his Oval Office at the golden building to his palatial residence, which he fittingly christened Bellissima on the waterfront Bellissima is an Italian word coined from bella, which means gorgeous, while issima, is an absolute superlative Bellissima, the name, absolutely complements the gorgeousness of the immaculate white buildings at the Adenuga villas and their coral-coloured roofs You would think, at that wee hour, he was heading straight to bed once he got home No Sir!

Dr Adenuga is genetically fortunate to require only about three to four hours of sleep a day The influential Wall Street Journal calls his kind the sleep-less elite who need just a few hours of sleep to function normally. In that mould are the likes of Tim Cook of Apple and former American President Donald Trump Sometimes, he would make a few calls to give

some follow-up instructions or review some aspects of his last meetings

Then, he would pour himself a glass of one of the smoothest cognacs in the world, relax and journey back to the past couple of hours to dissect his previous day, reflectively

That, for Dr Adenuga, is a spiritual voyage of sorts where he tries to set matters straight between himself and the people he had encountered. Meditatively, he would ask himself, ‘Was I fair to him? Was she fair to me? Is there any additional value to explore and get a better result beyond the ideas the various teams from Globacom to Conoil Producing, Conoil Plc, Cobblestone Properties and Estate and others presented? How can we optimise our assets?’ He could be at this for up to three or four hours before calling it a day. That is how

the genius mindset of Chairman Adenuga works

Upon deep reflection, if in the previous day there was anyone the Chairman felt he was unfair to, he would make amends, often not in an apology but in voluntary compensatory actions If there was anyone he felt was unfair to him, he would also take corrective measures As generous as he frequently is, he doesn’t spare the rod when he needs to make people account for their misdeeds

Where he acts the fastest is on any matter that could stimulate business growth He takes whatever action is required to get results, particularly where the opportunity is hot and

fresh, even if it requires a trip to the most distant part of the world There were people in the Mike Adenuga Group who had travelled to the US, Europe, China and other parts of Africa and had no clue they were travelling as close as four to 24 hours before they boarded their flights No other business leader I have known can match his mettle when it comes to pulling all the strings to get a difficult result That perhaps is the strongest staying power of an icon his admirers call the Great Guru

How He Presides Over Meetings

Dr Adenuga is a strict disciplinarian who runs

his organisations in the manner of the command-and-control structure of a military hierarchy

A perfectionist, he expects his officials and consultants to be prompt, organised, adequately prepared and conform to the rules of his office “You can’t do that here This is the Office of the Chairman”, he would thunder and remind anyone stepping out of line. He is irritated by tardiness and unintelligent responses A voracious reader and intellectual explorationist, he ceaselessly brings himself up to speed on the latest trends in the businesses he is involved in, from oil exploration to the downstream, banking to finance, real estate, hospitality, road construction and telecommunications You cannot pull the wool over his eyes One moment he is discussing the network configuration management system for Globacom with his technical team, the next moment, he is discussing the result of geological surveys and offshore/onshore drilling of oil with his Conoil Producing management team The same day, he is getting feedback from his representatives at Julius Berger, where he has controlling shares, and Cobblestone, the multibillion real estate company, which has luxurious properties spread across the land. This is just a snippet of his regular undertakings He probably would have slowed it down by now

He is also politically and economically savvy He has unassailable strategies on how to fix the Nigerian economy I can just imagine how much Nigerian and African leaders can tap from his profound solutions, most of which are a bigger bang for the buck, even without asking to be paid any buck It’s there just for the asking!

How long or short he spends with every presenting team depends on how much value he gets from or adds to the presentation He needs only a few slides to decide if a presentation is worth his precious time Yet, he displays a disarming humility, especially when there are visiting consultants or advisers He is quick to spot and convert opportunities

He sees the boardroom and an entire organisation like a football team where only the players in good form keep their shirts “Everyone must fight for his shirt”, he would say Yet, he shows the milk of human kindness to his people He gets personal with employees he often interacts with, cares about their welfare over and beyond the benefits they get from the system. Dr Adenuga is also a powerful storyteller who has shared several aspects of his life relevant to topics under discussion with officials during or after meetings

How He Keeps Valuable Staff

Despite his strict regimen and famous quote of, “We may laugh and play together, don’t let the hierarchy be lost on you,” Dr Adenuga is among the most involved and most caring employers of labour you can ever see When a valued staff departs voluntarily or is asked to quit over certain developments, the Chairman does not see it as a permanent separation If there is an opening later and he remembers any of the former staff he rates as ‘livewires’ who can fill the void, he will go after such staff, entice, appeal, incentivise or take any step necessary to bring him/her back Dr Adenuga goes as far as speaking directly to the staff or sending

emissaries to them to gain their confidence and rekindle their collaboration Biblical? Perhaps, yes Leaders can leave a herd and go after a lost or missing sheep For a business leader who can afford to hire any staff from anywhere in the world, that is a rare act of humility, largeheartedness and pragmatism About two years after I had left Globacom in 2020, I got a surprise call from the Chairman “Bode, mo ti’n wa e Nibo lo wa lat’ojo yi (Bode, I have been looking for you, where have you been all this while)? Then he added, “We shouldn’t be far from each other

I shouldn’t be looking for you when I need you or you, looking for me when you need me There is no easy way to say goodbye but there can be a pleasant way” I thanked him for his fatherly admonition, and we have kept in touch ever since The truth is that the Chairman really does not need me to the point of seeking me out. It is just his nature to be kind to his employees and friends he considered valuable when they were with him

Role In Turning WizKid, Others Into Global Stars

The world today celebrates Wizkid, Burna Boy and other Nigerian music superstars who have become global icons Dr Adenuga played a big part in accelerating their journeys into global reckoning He instructed his management team to engage the fledgling music stars then as brand ambassadors and take them on musical and comedy tours across the country Many of them had the opportunity to perform in different parts of Nigeria for the first time, courtesy of the Adenuga gesture Empowerment is one of the

core reasons he founded Globacom.

He wanted the fish seller in Epe or the yam seller in Aboh Mbaise or the farmer in Dawakin, Kano to be able to reach their customers and boost their trade When things were tough for comedians, Nollywood stars and musicians, the endorsement and performance fees they got from Globacom helped in no small way to see them through Many of the beneficiaries are eternally grateful for that deed His impact was also felt in football across Nigeria, Ghana and at CAF, where he pumped millions of dollars to promote and develop African football for almost two decades

Adenuga’s Extensive Connections

The Chairman has an extensive network of connections, and he has kept many of them in his closest circle over the years. In the innermost of the circle are the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who is his older cousin; the Esama of Benin, Sir Cabriel Igbinedion; and his son, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; boardroom guru, Mr Bode Emmanuel; General IBM Haruna; General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida; Dr Seyi Roberts and Chief Obi Adimora This list is by no means exhaustive Another of the elite senior friends is General Alani Akinrinade, whom he met as the big brother of his close childhood friend He has nurtured a sublime friendship with the Akinrinades over the years He is particularly fond of General Akinrinade, who was kind to them in those days when the youngsters were trying to find their feet The powerful list also includes past and present heads of state across the world, governors, senators, traditional rulers, professionals, friends and associates Many thought he would be in a dilemma when two of his friends, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, went head-to-head in the last presidential election They forgot that he is a boardroom virtuoso who understands the dynamics of leadership contests in Nigeria and would never be caught in the crossfire His strategy over time is to leave politicking to politicians and stay in his comfort zone, the boardroom and business management

Relationship With His Children

Like every caring and doting father, the Chairman loves his children to bits He spoils them with gifts and finds time to attend to them despite his extremely busy schedule He prioritises family dinner which could be at least once a week, often after watching movies together at the family’s luxuriant cinema hall He also comes hard on them when they get on the wrong side of his strict rules. He once told one of his children whom he had to compel to attend a meeting after requesting to be excused, “Come rain or shine, I’m at this desk, working If I can do that without giving excuses, then you shouldn’t give excuses. The only thing I owe you is to give you a good education Afterwards, if you want to stay here, you are welcome, but you must adhere to my instructions” Surely, he cherishes them and will do anything for them, but he wants to train them in his strict disciplinarian way, believing this will strengthen them in sustaining the huge legacy he is bestowing on them Everyone close to the Adenugas knows that his scions have also fully embraced the ethos of hard work wholeheartedly and they are adept at what they do He once told me after a meeting at his Oko-Awo home office, shortly before relocating to the Banana Island home, that his wish was to hand over his flourishing empire to his children

Adenuga’s Legendary Generosity

Dr Adenuga’s generosity is legendary He gives personal rewards like no other billionaire, except for probably a few like Oprah Winfrey “If God has given you this kind of resources, it is not for you and your family alone”, he would say. That is the guiding philosophy influencing the way he reaches out through his wealth

All year round, he splashes generous gifts on extended family, friends, associates, staff and the less privileged The gifts could range from exotic brand-new cars to expensive perfumes, designer bags, designer wristwatches and cash And during every festive season, he has a long list of beneficiaries he touches with life-transforming gifts; some on rotation, others in perpetuity He is detailed and exquisitely tasteful, not only in the quality of gifts but also in the manner the gifts are presented His Christmas cards are not only the best designed but the first to arrive Recipients have treated them as valuables to be proudly displayed He is unorthodox in living out his precepts He does things his own way and the Chairman acts and moves when he wants to He doesn’t like to be over pressurised

His company, Globacom, recently revamped and furnished the rundown home of a former national football hero, Peter Fregene, who had been in financial distress That altruism has the imprimatur of Dr Adenuga written all over it. He feels a deep sense of inexplicable joy when he sends his team to look for and rehabilitate Nigerians whose predicaments catch his attention Sometimes, he would send his team to

go and enquire about the well-being of a friend and associate he had not heard from in a while and ensure such was well taken care of He also loves enabling empowerment promotions, using his companies to give out jaw-dropping prizes like houses, cars, hefty sums of money and tools of trade such as sewing machines and tricycles, among others

How He Indulges Self

The chairman enjoys the good things of life and pampers himself in remarkable ways Yet, he believes that if it is not broken, don’t fix it At his Oko-Awo, VI, Lagos office, he used the same TV sets for over a decade before finally giving the nod for them to be changed His car preferences include Mercedes Benz G Wagon, Range Rover, sports cars, Toyota Landcruiser and Bentley For some reason, he keeps his distance from Rolls Royce

He also has a fleet of private jets, including the recently acquired Dassault Falcon, a quiet, productive, beautiful and luxurious executive jet built to withstand stormy weather Named Sisi Paris after one of his grandchildren, the Dassault Falcon is a beauty in the air

He has palatial homes in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Accra, London and Johannesburg The Lagos villa is the most extensive of them all with numerous mansions, a chapel, a purpose-built auditorium, an office tower, a general office for his private staff and an executive holding bay for visitors, a residence for domestic staff, a gym, an Olympic size swimming pool, a helipad and a boat dock

The Chairman is a connoisseur of excellent wine, champagne and a power dresser who sets his own dressing standards Occasionally, he invites special friends over to spend the evening with him and can arrange for top-of-the-range entertainers to tickle their fancy, even if they are just a couple Sometimes, he also arranges to have dinner or lunch with his best performing staff, often at some of the choicest restaurants in town Always looking out for the comfort of his people, he would scan the room at regular intervals and nudge those who were not relaxed enough to drink or eat more

A Genius Like No Other

As a business icon, he reacts to issues in a manner totally different from many other business elites No matter the storm, he is always calm. Dr Adenuga has spent a substantial part of the last two-and-a-half decades of his life nurturing Globacom to the giant brand it has become He built it all from the ground up, spending thousands of painstaking days and nights with his team In the process, he has been celebrated locally and globally, at times maligned and a few times persecuted He has stepped on toes; others have stepped on his toes Sometimes, he would get his team to defend his honour, at other times, he would let it slide

He knew he could not please everyone and he endeavours to fix his shortcomings. In later years, he developed a thick skin to extreme critics When he sees a profound gesture or publication celebrating his exploits, he reaches out to express his gratitude, sometimes personally He likes to

keep his head under the parapet, as he loves to frame it

Dr Adenuga has never confronted any government in power He would always devise his own ingenious way to co-exist harmoniously with the government of the day He believes he has too much at stake to take on any government He uses diplomacy, tact and rapprochement to reconcile differences He told renowned broadcaster Bisi Olatilo in a rare interview, “Big businesses don’t fight government They work with government”

The most vindictive government for Dr Adenuga remains the Olusegun Obasanjo regime, which even forced him to go into self exile From various reports, Obasanjo wanted him (Dr Adenuga) to implicate General Babangida and lie to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the General owns Globacom ‘Once you confirm that to Nuhu, everything will be fine’, he was instructed At that time, Nuhu Ribadu was the Chairman of EFCC Adenuga couldn’t understand why anyone would want him to lie against himself over his own business Adenuga refused He was hounded out of town and the rest is now history For General Babangida, that was a commendable act of courage by Adenuga for refusing to accede to a trumped-up charge to implicate him (Babangida), ruin his reputation and then possibly give his traducers the weapon they need to prosecute him

His Love for Soyinka, Maitama Sule, Ojukwu

Dr Adenuga is a master strategist When he launched Globacom, he chose Glo with Pride as the payoff line It was a rallying call to the entire nation to be proud of our heritage and accomplishments To ingrain the brand in the heart of fellow countrymen as a national hero to treasure, he sought out the support of Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; one of Nigeria’s finest diplomats, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, and the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odumegwu

Ojukwu They all had one thing in common

They were elder statesmen who were respected vastly in their spheres of influence

After some convincing, they agreed to do it to support a young man who was making the nation proud Professor Soyinka was a tough nut to crack

He made it categorically clear that he wouldn’t do brand endorsements Dr Adenuga counted on the poet’s closest allies such as Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi to convince him to support the vision on the condition that his (Professor Soyinka’s) message would not be used for product endorsements

When the messages were launched on national television, they became an instant hit across the country As the first fully owned Nigerian telecommunication brand to be launched after two foreign brands in the same category had enjoyed a two-year head start, Globacom needed such a tremendous intervention to stand a chance It complemented the per-second billing narrative and propelled Globacom to become the darling of the nation

Let the Celebrations Begin

To all fond admirers of Dr Adenuga worldwide, it is an extraordinary moment of inestimable joy to see an icon of this magnitude clock the ripe age of 70 on 29 April This is not the moment to nitpick about his life or start documenting his shortcomings This is a period to soak ourselves in unadulterated joy as we commemorate an exceptional national asset, father, husband, uncle, mentor, visionary, philosopher and juggernaut

Wherever you are on 29 April, please fill your glass and let us toast to the good health and longer life of this incredible achiever who holds the highest national honour of three major countries, including the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) in Nigeria, Companion of the Star of Ghana and Commander of the Legion of Honour in France

MIKE ADENUGA A G I FT TO THE WO RLD

-Mayor Akinpelu

In his column, Mayor Akinpelu’s Diary, veteran celebrity journalist, publisher and businessman, pens a captivating tribute to celebrate the 70th birthday of Globacom Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr

Entitled “70 Gbosas for The Guru: A birthday tribute to Dr Mike Adenuga”, it was a detailed narrative of his personal experiences with the legendary generosity and humaneness of the billionaire businessman

EXCERPTS:

Dr Mike Adenuga, Chairman of Globacom, Conoil Producing, Conoil Plc and Cobblestones Properties, is a workaholic. He has this enormous capacity for work It is not unusual for visitors to be ushered into his office at 2am Some visitors wait for hours to see him He is a hands-on chief executive and he micromanages.

Nothing goes on in his financial empire that

spans telecoms, oil, banking, real estate and construction without his knowledge He works hard and drives those who work for him equally hard. It is not unusual for a top executive in his company to receive a phone call, in the dead of the night, with instructions to proceed on an assignment outside the country Working for Dr Adenuga is a 24-hour job. There are peculiar traits about this genius. One of them is his generosity Dr Adenuga is

one of the most generous persons I know Because he shuns publicity like plaque, many do not realize the quantum of lives he has touched through his generosity Apart from touching people’s lives, he is also generous to friends, family members and his workers I had the privilege of doing some media relations works for him in the past I particularly remember the CIL days when his telecoms license was cancelled We used to meet in the study of his Oko-Awo, Victoria Island residence with the head of the communications department of CIL at the time When we met in the morning, he would give me money, after the meeting We would reconvene in the evening and he would still give me money We would meet the following morning; he would do the same thing You cannot see Dr Adenuga and leave without being blessed. And as he was giving me money, he was also giving the CIL

guy who was his staff You may not see Dr Adenuga for years, but when you least expect it, you would receive a phone call that would make you smile This ability to make a remarkable intervention in one’s life encouraged people to label him the ‘Spirit of Africa’

Two examples of his passion for generosity would suffice When I wanted to start my newsmagazine, Global Excellence, I took a decision that I must own it I didn’t want partners because of my experience at Fame magazine. I needed two million naira at the time and I felt the only person that could help me was Dr Adenuga So, I wrote him a letter asking him to give me N2m loan for me to realize my dream I sent the letter through a friend who was a top executive in his office I didn’t get a feedback But as fate would have it, I was invited by Equatorial Trust Bank, at the time one of his companies, to a cocktail in Victoria

Island When I got to the event, behold the chairman was present I went to say hello and in the course of discussing with him I asked about the letter I sent to him “Which letter? I didn’t see any letter,” he replied He then asked me to discuss the content of the letter I explained to him that I needed to start another magazine and it would cost me N2m to do it I told him that I didn’t have any other person that could help me, so I wanted him to give me N2m loan “What is your collateral,” he asked “My relationship with you,” I answered. He laughed heartily and said “Mayor wants a loan and he doesn’t have collateral” My heart sank but immediately he said “you’re our person we have to help you”

He then called my friend that was his staff and told him to bring me to the house on Sunday for us to discuss I got to my friend’s house on Sunday and he put a call to the chairman’s house to confirm if we could come over He was told

felt disappointed I had to look elsewhere

A young man whom I met through my colleague and brother, Dele Momodu, assisted me in starting Global Excellence To show that Dr Adenuga works like a spirit The third week of starting Global Excellence in 1999, when things were really tough, I got a message from a friend that worked for Dr Adenuga He asked if I was in the office, to which I said yes He then came over and handed me a handsome cheque from the chairman as his support for Global Excellence I thought he forgot about me, but no Dr Adenuga always gets in touch with those he loves.

The second experience was even better

When I celebrated my 50th birthday in 2010, many top executives including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, attended the event I was surprised that Dr Adenuga didn’t wish me a happy birthday I thought he didn’t remember me One day, I got a call from Bode Opeseitan who was then working with Dr Adenuga He told me that chairman said I should come for the dinner party at Civic Centre in Victoria Island, one of the events organized for Bella’s wedding I told Bode that I didn’t have invitation for the party. He later informed me that chairman said I should go to his house at Oko-Awo to collect an invitation card I did as I was told but I was not happy I wasn’t happy because chairman didn’t wish me happy birthday. I got to Civic Centre and as I was entering the hall I met Bode at the entrance He said; “Lord Mayor, chairman asked me to give you a message, let me give it to you before you enter the party” So I

o his car and he handed me ted it, returned to my car glove compartment I went ll but curiosity was eating ned back to my car and velope to see the content. an ETB draft a card on ppy Birthday was written I cried The amount on that raft was so huge that I felt bfounded For a long time, ouldn’t talk In fact, I was zed. I later went to thank im at the party, and typical of him, he just laughed; that deep-throat laughter and said “Lord Mayor”

Just as he touched my life in a special way, he does same for a lot of his staff Many received brand new exotic cars, huge amount of money, expensive wristwatches and special gifts But he does not suffer fools gladly He may be generous, and kind but as is staff he expects certain andards of performance m you Failure of which d attract consequences , two examples would When we used to meet Adenuga during the CIL e Globacom became a d to give myself and the Globacom corporate ney And the guy used to oss is this that gives you ou see him?” one day, we dia works and later meet study at his home in Okod the meeting and as usual, he had given us some money We were about leaving when he asked the corporate communications guy about the remaining money we didn’t use for the assignment The guy said “oh I’m sorry sir, this is it” Dr Adenuga exploded in rage “Why didn’t you hand it over before I asked you? Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I don’t know what I’m doing? This ‘baga’ has to be fired!” The guy was so scared that he almost peed in his pants I was stunned myself I just said the first thing that came to my mind “I’m sorry sir, it was my fault I felt since we’re going out tomorrow to continue with the assignment, there’s no need to hand over what we didn’t use yet.” The chairman was calmed He looked at both of us and said the guy should have said so instead of shaking I learnt a big lesson that day and something about Dr Adenuga Yes, he is generous. Yes, he can give money to his staff even more that their salary, but don’t think you can advantage of his generosity to fool him When it comes to working for him, his standards are quite high Many of his workers are scared to have meeting with him

There was a day he summoned me to his office in Oko-Awo There was a conference room opposite his office where he met with his staff I was summoned upstairs and asked to sit just before the door to the conference room One lady who was a top executive in Globacom was invited to attend the meeting. When she arrived she greeted me and did the sign of The Cross before entering the conference room

Dr Adenuga is a very shy personality He doesn’t like crowd There was one of his close

aides that celebrated his birthday. The wife organized a surprise party for him in Ikoyi, Lagos Aiyefele was on the bandstand When the guy was informed about the arrangement minutes into the surprise party, he informed Dr Adenuga and then left for the party. Chairman does not attend parties But, surprisingly, he decided to shock his aide by showing up at the party Nobody knew he was coming!

DrAdenuga got to the venue and took the lift to the floor where the party was going on As the lift opened, he saw that it was a big party with a band. He just called for the lift, entered and went back We were at the party when someone rushed upstairs to inform us that chairman just left Some of us, including the celebrator, rushed downstairs Chairman was gone If you see Dr Adenuga at a party, even his own party, you would find him sitting alone, straight-faced He would hardly eat or drink He would just be playing with his gold rosary The only time I saw him letting his hairs down at a party was during the rites of passage for his mother There was a party at Jogor Centre, Ibadan It wasn’t as crowded as Lagos or Ijebu parties Chairman was at home here He drank Crystal Champagne, and even gave money to the musician on the bandstand He stayed for a long time at the party Dr Adenuga is also a family man. He dots on his wife and kids. He finds time for family dinner The last time I saw him was at his favourite Italian restaurant in Victoria Island I had been invited to a party in honour of a journalist friend I was leaving the restaurant and saw chairman and his family having dinner. Dr Adenuga is my hero and mentor I’m one of the privileged few that have a plaque espousing his Philosophy on Achieving I have it on my office desk It is exclusively for his admirers and disciples It gives me great pleasure to join millions of other well-wishers to wish Dr Mike Adenuga a happy, fulfilling 70th birthday You’re a gift to the world Nigeria is blessed to have you The world is a better place with you Happy birthday, the Spirit of Africa. Best wishes for peace profound From an admirer and disciple.

Dr Adenuga is one of the most generous persons I know. Because he shuns publicity like plaque, many do not realize the quantum of lives he has touched through his generosity. Apart from touching people’s lives, he is also generous to friends, family members and his workers

AT 70: WHEN A 'SPIRIT' MATURES

Ihad planned to write a general article, as usual, to celebrate all those born in March and April which I normally tag “Felicitations: My (whatever the month) People” even more so when I realised that today, 29 April, is also the birthday of the man I consider the most philanthropic Nigerian alive, and truly the richest African whose span, spirit and splendour in riches, assets, wealth and receivables are unfathomable to the chroniclers of western-styled documented wealth, Forbes magazine I believe the avalanche of richly deserved tributes and praises, in editorial and advertorial deluge, would make our contribution to that adulatory expanse a drop in the ocean Thus buttresting my argument for something different, and an angle more panoramic and diverse

Yet, I could not get it out of my system the itch that this enigmatic man of staggering benevolence and incredible propensity to accomplish and establish economic and strategic alliances, edifices and corporate organisations with almost somnolent rapidity… actually deserves the full throttle of our felicitations even when he makes no demands on you This new strain of thought is further electrified by the fact that years ago about 17 years ago we were a shocked beneficiary of his benevolence – and in all those years he has not permitted an opportunity to say “thank you, sir” for the timely and hugely appreciated kind gesture

Yoruba would say “Yinni Yinni, kale se mi…” (express your gratitude, that

you may receive another favour) This aphorism flies in the face of this man’s taciturnity and deliberate disavowal of any preening sap of thanksgiving a truly strange human being Nevertheless, we have had to jettison our earlier plan, kowtowing to the urgent need to thank him for his divinely inspired blast of generosity at a time when it seemed God was no longer in the business of answering prayers.

Over a decade ago, I published my quasiautobiography titled ‘Lifelines: A Slice of My Life’ (2011) wherein I wrote on page 57 thus: “ In mid 2006, my wife and I made a vow that if God turned our misfortune around for the better; that if God reversed the leaking drainages depleting our finances; we would do all in our power to tell others, beg others, explain to others and pool resources with others, so that we all can be Angels of Hope to Nigerian children –irrespective of tribes, tongues, religions, circumstances and backgrounds

Three months after that vow, my wife’s condition was identified, corrected and maintained effectively – now she’s robust, agile and more beautiful than ever

Six months after that vow, when all hope seemed lost when it seemed our dead bones would never rise again by divine orchestration, God raised two people to help us in our business – to at least have a fighting chance of surviving in the punishing environment of magazine publishing ”

Those “two people” blithely mentioned in that

-Femi Akintunde-Johnson

line gave instructions that their philanthropy should be seen and addressed as anonymous – I believe one of them was instigated by our longtime friend, colleague and brother, Dele Momodu Perhaps, reading our humanitarian efforts and vision for “helpless children”, that was when the big man struck!

Of course, we are ‘talking’ of the man born as Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga whose broad shoulders carry the weight of the continent as he burrowed into crannies, caves and concourses of many nations to dig out wealth for the benefit of not just his immediate or extended families, but across and around Nigeria, and Africa generally.

Surely, several papers of today (and you must have noticed in the many days before now) and days after, would be filled with Adenuga’s impressive and outstanding accomplishments in business, education, manpower development, social interventions, prodigious philanthropy, and his immaculate business acumen and incredible work ethics Go and read, and be inspired Here, it is all about how he touched us, our home, vision and business

Sometime in the middle of the 90s, Adenuga’s top aides, Niyi Adewunmi (now a pastor) and Biodun Azeez would arrange a quarterly parley with publishers of the major general interest magazines thriving then. Their goal was to

sustain a level of mutual understanding of the business and humanitarian visions of the man now dubbed the ‘Spirit of Africa’ They wanted a rapprochement that would respect the privacy of the individual and would provide a verifiable window for fair hearing and direct attribution on stories that would ordinarily be tucked under “all efforts to get reaction proved abortive” We chatted over drinks and restaurant meals, discussing their company’s media relations projections and plans. It ran for a few years until I stopped getting invitations to the parley I later heard that some of my friends thought that one had started “carrying religion on the head”, and was not disposed to such gatherings any longer.

So, that line dithered, and withered

Until one that day in December of 2006 when Bode Opeseitan, a close aide to the Otunba, called that “the chairman” had something for me I was at once stunned and thrilled First, like the spirit Momodu described as many years later, he would only see you if he wanted to, and years of absence or silence does not mean he has forgotten you, or your craft He is besotted with excellence in any field: apparently, he has a soft spot for those with mastery of the written and spoken art He is also a consummate storyteller, an avid reader and a meticulous writer How he achieves and sustains that with the myriad of activities, interventions, supervisions and interjections he has to muster across multiple businesses and companies makes you wonder if he is indeed a human being Yet he is 70 today and is still irrepressible!

Well, back to my story: on reaching his Oko Awo office complex, I was promptly and warmly

ushered into a large office A large bag was brought to which contained a short note, a card with a sprawling signature, and an envelope containing a thank you letter (he was thanking me! Amazing ) And a cheque I asked to sit for a few moments, and then demanded to see the Chairman, so I could express my thanks I was told, not surprisingly though, that he was not available, but had wished me well that I should remain strong I didn’t know how I got home between Oko Awo (Victoria Island) and my makeshift office in Dopemu Suffice to say the cheque was slightly bigger than all we garnered in starting the three magazines I have directly published in my life)

For many weeks, I pestered his staff to pass my gratitude in well crafted notes, and long missives about the blessings of God for a man abundantly blessed, and who has continued to bless and boost people and businesses all over the continent It never happened

Otunba Mike Adenuga if you get to read this article we thank you for what you did for us 17 years ago and (you must be tired of hearing this) and for what you continue to do for your culture, your state, your nation and your continent including the monumental and often stupendous generosity you show to friends, acquaintances and complete strangers whose foibles and anguish touch a chord in you to stretch forth a massive helping hand again and again Your years will continue to be a testimony of honour, a tapestry of inspiration and a global index of a uniquely magnificent specie divinely planted in a wan and weary nation to give life salve wounds lift broken spirits mend crooked systems and soar over adversity and diversity as the authentic spirit of the African experience Happy 70th Birthday Congratulations!

PL ATI NUM FO R PERSEVER AN CE: 7 HEART WARM I N G AT TR I B UTE S

DR MIKE ADENUGA JNR . AT 70 -Kunle

Gba gaun, gba gaun, gba gaun![1]

Kere o oo ooo, kere o oo ooo, kere o oo ooo!![2]

The good people of Nigeria and far beyond, please come nearer I bring good tidings:

The Spirit of Africa is joining the Septuagenarian Club tomorrow (Saturday, April 29). Dr Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Adenuga, Jnr., the magical business titan, will be 70-and troops have lined up to cheer him on Contingents are jiggling and waggling, crooning hymns and penning praises, serenading one of Earth’s most materially blessed human beings

Your son, husband, father and grandfather nestles among the 2,640 persons in the world with

Bakare

over a billion dollars (Forbes’ real-time rich list)

Our pride is on top of that league of the lucky, blessed, and honoured to get a front-row seat among the 8 03 billion people on our planet (as calibrated today by worldometers info) And our joy is one of the less than 3% over 65 in Nigeria (with life expectancy for males pegged at 59.51 years and females at 63 27 on September 5, 2022) We are thrilled that the exceptionally and miraculously gifted mogul is alive and well, kicking and joyous in this challenging but exciting era

Dr Mike Adenuga (GCON) acknowledges that fate has dealt him good hands-and he forever teaches and shows us that life essentially gives

you what you sow and nurture And the chairman of Globacom and Conoil (and many more) has planted and watered viable seeds!

The Guru (as disciples and admirers fondly address him) is in the spotlight And we are proud and happy to illuminate some attributes of this extraordinary gentleman whose story inspires, whose triumphs keep us on our feet in ceaseless ovation

The last 50-odd years of the magnate’s life have brought to the fore what separates the superbly favoured-and we are awed by what the son of Oloye Michael Agbolade Adenuga, Snr and Omoba Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga has brought to the table

His life is peppered with some of the most significant elements that make all the difference, the crucial habits that catapult men into colossi And here are just 7 of the characteristics that amplify the essence of ‘the Gold Digger ’ [3]: ‘Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can’

Those desirous of making better meanings of life, who plot and work to change their fortunes, take charge and superintend events that make lives more pleasant, never invent excuses They help themselves, assess scenarios and tap all the opportunities They start from where they are with the resources at their disposal

And Dr Adenuga exemplifies that maxim of the legendary African-American tennis player Arthur Ashe (July 10, 1943–February 6, 1993)

As far back as the 70s, as a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University (United States of America), he drove a taxi to bring in extra income to finance his education Apart from deploying his driving skill to earn money, he guided his ego and pride and rolled up his sleeves to help himself

With that foundation which salutes the dignity of labour, devoid of arrogance, filled with rigour, hard and smart work, it’s not a surprise that he found his path, moving on to selling laces and distributing soft drinks (which made him his first

million in 1976) before finding fame and fortune in big business

The humble beginning, which many want to circumvent, is the rock on which huge success rests

Forget the din of the market; face what’s important to you Like masters of the game, he faces forward. Instant gratification, temporary pleasure and fickle pursuits are not on his card He ignores tall tales and fables woven around him and spread afield He discountenances the din of the market [aruwo oja]-and pursues his dreams and aspirations single-mindedly

Dr Adenuga’s piercing laser focus gives him an edge. His eyes are on the ball, and he’s forever

fingers of one hand Most of what we read and hear about him are speculations He practices the dictum of the British monarchy (‘never complain, never explain’)

Remember, those who want to be born anew, recalibrate their lives and turn their fortunes around for good are urged to disappear for six months. But Dr Adenuga disappears for ages. Only those who work for him, his close associates and friends have access

He utilises the time we fritter away-attending to irrelevancies and ‘how the cat bumped into barbed wire’[4] to expand his empire and provide more value-added services

Never give up

committed to the ingredients that advance his cause He hardly wavers While many commit to irrelevant obligations, distracted by this and that, he’s at his desk, on the road, sealing deals day and night, strategising and actualising

Mystery gives you a head start and keeps you ahead

Dr Adenuga best portrays that persona of mystery, the unpredictability that assures victory He does not chase acceptance or influence, honour invitations and show up at soirees and shindigs, or amass followers on social media

He’s hardly ever in public space You can count his interviews in the last 40 years on the

Like the stamp, Dr Adenuga sticks to whatever he desires till the end He never gives up or loses hope. He relentlessly pursues his dream with all that he possesses (that’s why he’s dubbed ‘the Bull’, which also represents his zodiac sign, Taurus: April 20–May 20)

When he wants something, he’s persistent Dogged Resolute He deploys all his resources, gives it his all and waits patiently

His pursuit of the GSM license in 1999 taught us what perseverance means For four years, he kept at it And By 2003, Globacom entered the race to the derision of many who prophesied that the market had closed, with subscribers already

grabbed by the existing networks and nothing left on the table for late-comers

The game changer brought fresh ideas with Glo, introduced free SIM cards and per-second billing and acquired a considerable chunk of the market, against predictions Globacom remains the beautiful bride of business students who canonise resilience and the stick-with-it spirit.

Maintain the most crucial networks

You can only be this big and successful by nurturing rewarding friendships, oiling essential networks, and being trustworthy and dependable It’s easy to think the man of means and lionised philanthropist decorated with Nigeria’s second highest honour (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger in 2012), Ghana’s highest civilian reward (Companion of the Star of Ghana, 2016) and France’s most prestigious award (Commander of the Legion of Honour, 2018) is unfriendly, unapproachable and antisocial But you are far from the truth Dr Adenuga (who is primarily introverted) has dependable allies and friends he can count on He cherishes the company of those in his close circle and they regularly create time ‘to let their hairs down ’

He may not be your typical businessman but he has extensive political contacts He has been allowed to do his businesses unhindered (except for one administration in the Fourth Republic which hounded him to no end, forcing the tycoon into self-exile)

You must see far

With hands in the most lucrative businesses telecoms, oil and gas, banking, property, and more his gift of seeing far ahead is evident The reintroduction of privatisation of government concerns and opening up of the business climate provided the leverage to set up banks (Equatorial Trust Bank and Devcom Merchant Bank) and a telecoms company (Globacom), buy National Oil and Chemical Marketing PLC (rechristened Conoil PLC) and expand the Mike Adenuga Group (including Conoil Producing, Cobblestone Properties & Estates), aside registering his presence on the Nigerian Exchange with substantial stocks in many profitable companies Humongous cash flows daily into the pockets of the Otunba Apesin of Ijebuland

Enjoy the

lifestyle of your dreams

The perks and appurtenances of great wealth and luxury are at the beck and call of the Ibadan-born (Oyo State) billionaire From three private jets to elegant mansions in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Accra, Johannesburg and London, and the most luxurious vehicles conceived by fertile minds, his superlative lifestyle is the object of perpetual fascination

Dr Adenuga lives his dream, lavishly enjoys the rewards of his labour and surrounds himself with the best on offer He demonstrates that you shouldn’t settle for less if you work hard and are rewarded so much

Apart from hosting close friends and associates to soirées in his home, he savours the occasional fine dining at a few choice restaurants

Compatriots, let’s relish this heartwarming quotation from the British philosophical writer James Allen (November 28, 1864–January 24, 1912) which encapsulates Dr Mike Adenuga’s philosophy as a takeaway:

‘The world steps aside for the man who knows where he’s going ’ So, ladies and gentlemen, let’s present the platinum [5] to the business leader following his map and strutting on a fabulous journey with a fantastic destination

People of good cheer, join me to toast to the good health and long life of the Spirit of Africa on this special occasion of his 70th birthday!

Sir, may all your beautiful prayers find the favour and grace of our Almighty God (Amen)

THE DAY ADENUGA SENT FOR ME

This is the time to celebrate one of Nigeria’s richest men Otunba Mike Adenuga, as he clocks 70. This is a time to recall how our paths crossed And he sent for me That was in 1990 I was the Editor of the dreaded radical weekly newspaper, TEMPO Magazine that fought the military junta of IBB to a stand still After my senior colleagues in The News stable picked me to edit this new publication called TEMPO, I introduced the coverage of Oil & Gas So week in, week out I reported the Oil sector like no one did And that made me something of an expert in this area. Those were the days Marc Rich, the Chegoury Brother & Co and many of those who dominated our Oil sector Back-to-back I was

breaking oily stories One of those I wrote about then was Mike Adenuga who struck oil in 1990

Of course like every Reporter I had a good source who fed me with all the exclusives He himself was a big player in the Oil sector

Unknown to me Mike Adenuga had been following my writeups in TEMPO and he wanted to know who this tiny rat was, reporting all the happenings in the Oil industry, especially as it concerned his moves And he sent for me He sent his most trusted P A who we all know to me And he told me in a friendly way that he would want me to meet his Chairman (that is what everybody calls him). Or put differently Otunba Mike Adenuga wants to meet me

Haaa! I was scared What have I done wrong

to have attracted the attention of the Guru who was making waves then? As at the time I got the verbal invitation, not many journalists had ever met him In fact, only few Nigerians had ever met Mike Adenuga in flesh

All we hear were tales about how Great he is, about how successful and rich he is and how he dominated the Oil sector like a Colossus with his company, Consolidated Oil which later became (Con Oil)

I had very little option, but to accept to go and see Big Mike So, I had to go and meet his P A in his house, somewhere in Victoria Island, and we both drove in his car, to the Chairman’s Oko Awo residence It was a fortress He takes his Security seriously And so, we had to wait for

him to send to us one of his househelps in uniform to come downstairs to lead us to a wing of the house which served as his Office When we got to the door, his P.A. knocked 3 times and we waited for a reply Lo & behold it was the Chairman himself who opened the door for us And he called my name familiarly Seye come in

Are you the one that has been writing all those Oil stories Wow! I couldn’t believe or imagine I could be in the presence of such a great Nigerian who Bashorun Dele Momodu has described as the Spirit of Africa, because you never get to see him, up till now

He doesn’t attend parties He doesn’t go out He ushered me to my seat behind his Oak table and we began to chat He commended my efforts and told me he has never missed a copy of TEMPO, weekly because of the Oil stories

I guess he wanted to ask me for my Source also but he just couldn’t get around to asking me. He told me the reasons he asked to see me was because he wanted to put a face to the name

Seye Kehinde

By the time he told me he was ready to release me to go, I had spent about 45 minutes with this Great man many Nigerians have never set their eyes on. That was my 1st time of meeting him and the 2nd time was at a Glo event years after at Villa Medici, his favourite restaurant, in Victoria Island, Lagos. By then, I had founded City People and he asked me how City People was doing He congratulated me for giving birth to a dream I had nurtured since I was in school at the Obafemi Awolowo University

Meeting Mike Adenuga made me know a lot more about him And that got me a place on his mailing list

Occasionally, I get messages from him and his annual Xmas Card which is usually hand delivered to me Of course, City People has benefitted immensely from GLO in terms of generous adverts There are some of us his aburos, who have learnt a lot from him about Success and Business He sent me this glazed Glass plaque that captures his success principles which has been on my table and another one, which is the story I did on his foray into Oil business

As he turns 70, I join hundreds of people like me whose lives and businesses he has touched miraculously Unknown to many people Mike Adenuga is one of the biggest Philanthropists in Nigeria Ebenezer Obey describes him as Olowo to nfi owo sanu That is Mike Adenuga’s biggest and best kept secret: He does not like you to talk about his philanthropic gestures Once he touches a life, he simply moves on He does not expect you to even say Thank you He does not even create the avenue for you to say Thank you, because you can’t see him, unless he chooses to see you

As he turns 70, I wish him many more years in good health and happiness

H a p p y B i r t h d a y To T h e G u r u . Happy Birthday Sir

ADENUGA 70 THINGS ABOUT THE BILLIONAIRE I HAVEN'T

Iconic businessman and legendary philanthropist, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr , is 70 years old today, Saturday, April 29, 2023-and even though I have not had a one-on-one encounter with him, here are 70 things I have come to know and marvel about him:

1 He is a very, very mysterious and unusual personality who rarely socializes, even with fellow billionaires

2 Reaching him on phone or even bumping into him at events could be likened to the Biblical camel passing through the eye of a needle However, whenever he needs to see you, it’s at the snap of his finger

3 He is one of the luckiest Nigerians and Africans to be decorated with the highest national honours of his country, Nigeria (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger); Companion of the Star of Ghana and Commander of the Legion of Honour in France

4 He was born on Wednesday, April 29, 1953

5 His parents were Michael Agbolade Adenuga, Snr and Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga (nee Onashile)

6 His father was a teacher and his mother a businesswoman.

7 His siblings are Olushola Osunsade, Folashade Akande, Demola Adenuga and Bunmi Adegbola

8. They are Ijebus (in Ogun State), but grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State

9. He attended Ebenezer Primary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan; Ibadan Grammar School and then Northwest Oklahoma University and Pace University, both in America where he read Business Administration

10 As a child, his nickname was Belly (pronounced Bellair)-and back then in school, he was a good goalkeeper

11 He was the first of his father ’s children to learn how to drive

12 Among his children-Oyin, Jide, Paddy, Bella, Eniola, Bimbo, Sade and Niyi

13 Currently married to Titi Joyce Adenuga, his first marriage to Adefolake Emilia Marquis failed after some years and producing five children

14 He reportedly likes his women fleshy

15 He used to be a taxi driver in America

16 He once owned two banksEquitorial Trust Bank and Devcom Merchant Bank

17 In his multi billion business empire are Glo, Conoil Producing, Conoil Plc, Cobblestones Properties and Estates, etc

18 His telecommunications company, Globacom, pioneered per second billing in Nigeria

MET, AND YET KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT

A master strategist and quintessential marketer, to usher Glo into the market, he convinced three national icons – Ezeigbo Gburugburu, Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and diplomat extraordinaire, Alhaji Maitama Sule to model for the brand

20 He was also the first Nigerian to strike oil in large quantity via his company –Consolidated Oil

21 The first two businesses he did when he returned from America were importation of lace materials and sale of detachable car stereos

22 His current sobriquets include Spirit of Africa, The Guru and Chairman

23 A very, very shy man, you will find him on the very few occasions he steps out, sitting all alone, but with his bodyguards not far away.

24 Also a warrior, those who incur his wrath hardly go scot-free – and a typical example is his former confidential secretary, Nora Olumide, whom he fought to a standstill in 2021 Another example is how hard he fought to

reclaim his telecoms license after losing millions of Dollars to the government over the initially complicated license

25 He hardly eats outside, except at his favorite Italian restaurant on Victoria Island, Lagos.

26 He dots on his family and sometimes takes them out for dinner to this same restaurant where a special place is usually reserved for them

27 His favorite drinks are Crystal champagne and exquisite cognac

28 All his shirts are customized, with his initials (MAJ) neatly printed on them

29 Letters, no matter how important and wherefrom, are not accepted in his office

30 He is an extremely generous man whose gifts, both financially and otherwise, usually leave beneficiaries speechless

31 Working for him is a 24-hour job as there are hardly holidays, especially for his inner members of staff In fact, he can call staffers at the dead of the night, with instructions to proceed

on assignments outside the country at once

32 He is one hands-on business owner who is unapologetic about micromanaging his workers

33 He goes to any length to keep and retain his key members of staff.

34 Politically and economically savvy, he smells and spots business opportunities from miles away

35 A powerful storyteller, one of his business philosophies is striking when it’s hottest and before the terrain becomes saturated

36 A disciplinarian, perfectionist and voracious reader, he is said to be always on top of happenings in all the sectors he plays in

37 A workaholic, it’s not unusual for visitors and workers to still be in his office around 2 a.m!

38 He is said to sleep for just three to four hours daily

39 Among his favourite quotes are “Everyone to himself, God for us all”, “You can’t do that here This is the office of the Chairman”, “Everyone must fight for his shirt”, “We may laugh and play together, but don’t let the hierarchy be lost on you”, “Big businesses don’t fight government They work with government”, “If God has given you this kind of resources, it is not for you and your family alone”

40. Two major events that shook him greatly and also contributed to his reclusive lifestyle: (1) the armed robbery attack at his Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos home (in 1982) and (2) the shocking invasion of his home and subsequent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo (in 2006)

41 He went on exile as soon as he was granted bail and only returned after late President Umaru Yar ’Adua had succeeded Obasanjo

42 He has palatial homes in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Accra, London and Johannesburg. His home in Banana Island, Lagos is called “Bellisima on the Waterfront ” Bella is an Italian word for gorgeous while issima means superlative

43 His favorite automobiles include Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, Range Rover, Toyota Land cruiser, Bentley and sports cars His latest private jet is a Dassault Falcon, which he calls Sisi Paris

44 Among his buddies and confidants are General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion and his former governor son, Lucky, Mr Bode Emmanuel, General IBM Haruna (rtd), Chief Obi Adimora, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha (rtd), General David Jemibewon (rtd)

45 One of the biggest supporters of anything entertainment and football, he sometimes invites leading entertainers (music and comedy) to thrill him and a few friends in the cinema hall inside his Banana Island home

46 In Ijebu, he holds the chieftaincy title of Apesin and annually sponsors the Ojude Oba Festival

47 His favorite animal is bull and his favorite colour, gold As a matter of fact, nearly everything in his office is coated in gold while his door, letterhead and envelope have a bull emblazoned on them

48 A book written on him (Mike AdenugaAfrica’s Business Guru-by Mike Awoyinfa & Dimgba Igwe) was allegedly mopped up on his instructions because he felt it was too revealing

50 Without having met, he sends me a Christmas and New Year card every year Interestingly, his card is usually the first one I receive for the year.

51 He equally gave me a Glo line which his company credits every month – and this has been so for over 10 years

51-70-Haba! A man should have some secrets. So, let’s spare him and wish him a happy 70th birthday

MIKE ADENUGA THE RESILIENT BULL AT 70 -Kemi Akinyemi

Suave businessman and chairman cum founder of Globacom, Conoil Producing, Conoil Plc and Cobblestones Properties, Dr Mike Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga (Jnr ), GCON, CSG, CdrLH, turned 70 on Saturday, 29th April 2023 Ever since, the celebratory dusts have understandably refused to settle Expectedly also, Nigerians from all walks of life rallied round to make the occasion a momentous one There have been tons and tons of tributes pouring in for a man who has touched lives in more ways than one.

Though life begins at 40, longevity starts at 70 Or as they often say, if seven is a lucky number, then 70 is ten times luckier Seventy years is a huge milestone One of the oldest and best-known references to this age comes from the Bible: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten ”

In an stress-prone country like Nigeria where life expectancy is pegged at 55-75 years, it is a

very big deal to attain 60-65 years It is even a bigger deal tinged with undiluted celebration when someone hits the 70 mark, let alone if the subject is a billionaire of Adenuga’s standing, taking into cognizance the fact that he is the second richest Nigerian by dollar standard and someone who has constantly graced the Forbes list as one of the richest men globally

Adenuga cuts a picture of a larger-than-life personality, who, aside from having his fingers deep-rooted in every single pie and getting the most out of it, in the last 70 years, has experienced many wins and losses His neversay-die approach to life has made him achieve all there is in store for workaholics like him, and more are trickling in So, this new age is no mean feat. It is like hitting a jackpot of some sorts.

As a Forbes rated billionaire and Africa's second richest man, Adenuga commands ample resources, and has enough reasons to be a most conspicuous social figure But he has since

chosen to be a virtually "invisible" and extremely reserved mega-businessman

Despite sitting atop a gargantuan conglomerate, he can also be rightly adjudged as the most inaccessible of the collossal business figures across Africa Adenuga intentionally steers clear of the probing lenses of media photographers and generally stays out of the news

Born on Wednesday, April 29, 1953, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and raised by his father who was a school teacher and a businesswoman mother, young Adenuga knew so early what ‘hustling’ was all about When you have a teacher-father whose reward is proverbially in heaven, there is that proclivity to scratch the ground to make ends meet. This exigency nerved him for the tasks ahead, and he found courage sufficient to carry him through thick and thin At a certain point, he resorted to driving taxi to fund for his studies in the university

The Guru, as they call him now, literally struck gold when he was just 26 years old, vending lace materials and distributing soft drinks In 1990, he received a drilling license and in 1991, his petroleum firm Conoil struck oil in the shallow waters of Southwestern Ondo State, the first indigenous oil company to do so in commercial quantity Adenuga is not your regular type of moneybags, he is a self-made hard worker Those who know him know that even as he has stepped up to the seventh floor in the stage of life, there is no guarantee he will slow down He is deeply involved in the day-to-day running of his financial empire which spans the telecoms, oil and gas, construction, real estate, banking et al Perhaps that is the secret of his amazing breakthrough

As a typical billionaire does, he makes good use of every opportunity available to him. During the oil boom of the late ‘80s, he did not waste time to apply for oil license, and in 1990, he started oil exploration with after obtaining a license for Conoil This was during the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida when the industry was liberalized to allow individuals venture into it

Again, Adenuga saw another opportunity to

plow into the booming world of the telecommunication industry in the late ’90s acquired a conditional GSM license from the Federal Government

It was not an easy task because the telecoms license was revoked a few days after he obtained it. He was to obtain a second one in 2004, when the federal government held another auction That was what gave birth to his Globacom, or Glo for short, which has now grown into other African countries like Benin Republic, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, with millions of subscribers

The telecom company is considered a major competitor to the giant MTN group, and is still prospecting licenses in other West African countries

In 2015, Mike Adenuga acquired an Ivorian mobile telecoms operator “Comium” in Cote d’Ivoire for $600m.

As mentioned earlier, it has been a potpourri of gains and losses in the last 70 years for the Great Guru Mid 2020s, the head offices of his telecoms company as well as his erstwhile Equitorial Trust Bank were raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC This must have led him to relocate from Nigeria temporarily, but only

returned when he was granted pardon by the then government of President Musa Yaradua.

By and large, Adenuga is a shrewd businessman who knows when to strike for gold He is an epitome of a large pocket meeting a large heart He is a giver, and we know that givers never lack So, there is a constant assurance of wealth flow even when it seems so critical

Nigerians have not forgotten in a hurry how Globacom, which entered the telecoms market very late because of the initial denial, changed the game with breaking the myth of per-second billing which forced already established networks to ‘reset their brain’

Modest on the outside, Adenuga is as generous as a philanthropist can be. He gives without batting an eyelid His family, staff and friends are not spared of a rub off of his milk of human kindness This has endeared many to the man who abhors publicity but does well operating at the background noiselessly

As we continue to bask in the euphoria of celebrating a man who has changed so many lives through his words and actions, we say, may your life be long, Dr Mike Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga, the resilient Bull

MIKE ADENUGA : 70 YEARS OF GRATITUDE -Lanre Alfred

As he clocks 70, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr ’s significance to enterprise is much like that of the virtuoso to a symphony orchestra The multibillionaire Chairman of Globacom affects a flurry of beings curled into one: he is science, an art, a foundation of genius with dashes of brilliance brightening the creativity of his mind and soul and illuminating the world A product of pure intellect, vision, and sheer enterprise, he can become any form he creates; he is a library of masterpieces, an intricate web of sensitivity and hope attuned in full measure to the world’s needs. At 70, he furnishes entrepreneurship in an enduring flurry, banking on the poetic imaging of his genius. Ultimately, Adenuga enlivens commerce with his brilliance; thus several decades after his emergence as Africa’s most revered business icon, his exploits attain the resonance of a fairy tale,

The Magic and the Glory

Every man commands the gift of an enterprise; for some, it could be unclogging the steam pipes on a cold night; for some, it could be solving the intricate half of a complex equation Some make their living delivering punchlines in packed theatres and a good many more ferret a living from interior plumbing Mike Adenuga, however, asserts his niche in global telecoms, oil and gas, banking, real estate, and philanthropy Very few tycoons can pull this off particularly when they have their fingers in many pies Adenuga effortlessly does this, thus exploding the legend of the beneficent magnate into a billion sculpted pieces; each statuette projects his dazzling genius and benevolent repute

If Mike Adenuga’s story reads like an enterprise legend, it’s probably because he has successfully matched grit to desire, with stunning outcomes This is certainly a rare feat His life espouses crucial entrepreneurial anecdotes through its metaphor-rich manifestations of his inventive sleight of hand

At the cusp of his 70th anniversary, the social and business landscapes pulse with milestones he has achieved thus reasserting his worth as a rare force of nature As family and friends join him in celebrating his 70th birthday, the image that pops into head is that of his genius and the passionate intensity he brings to entrepreneurship Indeed,

very few men are as gifted as Adenuga The poetry of his ascent radiates his glory through splendid enterprise, outstanding peerage, and a spirited lunge out of the trenches

In Adenuga’s world, enterprise becomes magic; the fondling of ambition from a delicate prod into a feral nudge A push against the odds Against adversaries and unforgiving fate Only a titan like Adenuga could brave these challenges and carve from it all, an Eden

‘The Mike Adenuga Stare’

Some magnates fall by the margins of enterprise Some rise through its cracks In pursuit of profit, too many have incinerated in the flames of commerce but amid the smouldering pyre, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr blooms like an aster The billionaire entrepreneur flourishes unhindered, having learnt to douse the sweltering blaze of industry But how does he do it?

Some say he does it by fanning the industrial hearth with a glacial quilt, dripping with passion and torrential rigour; they say his years of practice finally makes perfect.

Some say he does it with a stare ‘The Mike Adenuga Stare’ – effectually rigged to tame the odds In staring the odds down, Adenuga cuts a searing swath through a snarl of hostile economies and obstacles devised by fate, to forge his own path It’s a reckoning

And the world reckons him for his exploits;

rarely does a magnate command so much love and idolatry of his industry and feats as Adenuga has done

No doubt, he affirms the axiom depicting the fruitful magnate’s rippling virtuosity Going by his trajectory, he may be likened to a god of the franchises he created and a guardian of the world his business empire inhabits It’s a huge task; earth-born deities influence economies, politics, culture and cities And if they are very assertive, they create not just the laws of government, but the code of mortal existence However, no entrepreneur has been a god to as many vastly different worlds as Dr Mike Adenuga Jr

His worlds are tasking and exacting, but also flooded with the brilliant light of his imagination, whether he is building on the past, determining the present, or strategising for the future no one had ever imagined Many have wondered how he came to amass such vast affluence and an enduring sway at the pinnacle of the business world; it’s mostly a function of perception An ingenious ability to discern the labyrinthine tracts of commerce, and his persistence in asking ‘Why?’

Adenuga symbolises the enterprising African spirit, unalloyed commitment, resilience and hard work Thus, he is today one of the most recognisable names on the African continent

Inside Mike Adenuga’s Empire of Equals

It is not easy to be a detribalised Nigerian For a multibillionaire, every day is a somersault through blazing declamatory hoops You know the heart of a patriot, however, from the way he relates with fellow citizens, irrespective of their ethnicity and other vast social stripes His greatness manifests, especially, in how he treats those beneath him in all spheres of life

A studious examination of his corporate leadership and entrepreneurial style reveals, among other things, that the Globacom boss is incapable of presiding over a failed enterprise He is an inveterate workaholic, perfectionist yet pragmatic in approach; and the central appeal of his style lies in its practical precision He’s sensationally excellent at what he does Little wonder he has become, over time, the reference point for many ambitious entrepreneurs and business managers

Yes, in top business schools across the continent and beyond, the corporate exploits of Adenuga are veritable case-studies for academic research And there seems to be unanimity of

genius conductor assimilates Mozart’s aria, you can never ornament the words enough to describe his unparalleled verve and genius If Adenuga were a lab scientist, he would have reordered groups in organic chemistry and calculated the

infrastructures that will stimulate innovation, facilitate commerce, drive enterprise and improve living conditions Its core programme interests are entrepreneurship, education, health, and rural development The education programme aims to support the study of disciplines that drive innovation and development

As the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the world, Adenuga dug into the depth of his humanity to support every effort of the federal government to combat the virus, particularly, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s private sector Coalition against COVID-19, donating heavily In a letter to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Adenuga applauded the federal government’s measures to tackle the pandemic’s impacts on the country, commending the bank for its worthwhile initiatives He donated generously to the Lagos State government, various bodies, and institutions Nigerians are still talking about it even as you read

Love for the Arts

Adenuga’s love for the arts is intrinsic and invaluable Perhaps after his passion for business, making money, and philanthropy, appreciation of the arts is next in line The entertainment industry has featured prominently in Globacom’s corporate social investment initiatives because of Adenuga’s passion for the industry

Aside from direct financial commitments, including massive sponsorships, Globacom currently retains the largest number of key players in the entertainment industry as brand ambassadors while upholding that by actively engaging them He has also really done so much too for African football. He has taken football to greater heights and African football has suddenly become a global phenomenon that can no longer be held back It is no wonder that Africa continues to get more slots in the FIFA World Cup competition Many entertainers, both established and unheralded, have been blessed immeasurably by this love and patronage

opinions that the patently self-effacing businessman has created phenomenally successful businesses and changed the world in significant ways Not surprisingly, millions of youths see him as a quintessential mentor because of his guarded and understated lifestyle and business successes Others say it is because Adenuga quadrupled as a teacher, leader, father, and mentor before being an employer

Adenuga’s rise to acclaim reads like an emotional orchestra The symphony is a tour de force-a stunningly acute, intense, and intelligent manifestation not just of his manhood, but also of his dreams, challenges, the pluses and minuses of endeavour, friendship, the vital necessity of creative boredom, the phenomenology of watching his dreams erupt to fruition, and anything and everything else towards which Adenuga directs his supple imagination

Intricate Breadth, Strength of Nigeria’s Industrial Colossus

Becoming an entrepreneur extraordinaire is not mere lip service It takes consistent effort and focus on growing from just an entrepreneur interested in a particular business to becoming a respected and renowned empire builder Think Adenuga, frequently likened to a champion and sometimes, a business genius that effortlessly depicts the image of a modern-day general of commerce Nothing excites him as much as his octopoidal conglomerate because very few members of Nigeria’s affluent club can achieve great feats in their youth and remain quiet and selfeffacing like an avatar of the Himalayan thrust While some are busy pushing status and their immense bulk in a desperate dash for socioeconomic and political acclaim, Adenuga affects tact and humility without ostentation or pretence You would be forgiven for ascribing to him superhuman smarts For a man who has learned and mastered intricate business as the

anti-derivatives of functions that he will effectively deploy in real life – all with a modest amount of energy Watching Adenuga preside over his business empire, you get inspired by how beautifully he weaves the strands of his acumen and entrepreneurial depth into a dominant narrative

But it wasn’t easy It took incredible focus, courage and intentionality to carry himself the way he did To use his gifts and talents, his brilliance and platform, to honour the preciousness of humane enterprise and nationhood

It took humility and grace to seek beyond entrepreneurial exploits and improve lives via selfless, and fortune-changing philanthropy. Adenuga reminds us that we can all resist the excuses that guard us from giving love Whatever power we have, whatever our wealth and attainments, we attain humaneness and immortality, perhaps, by lifting others up; especially those who are less privileged than we are.

There is no gainsaying that Adenuga manages several moving parts of a colossal enterprise The trajectories of its blooming creates a culture of growth that manifests in every aspect of commerce and societal life thus amplifying people’s perception of who Adenuga is and what he symbolises

His Sterling Humanism

Philanthropy is at the heart of everything that Adenuga does. Why a lot of elite philanthropy is about elite causes is not so for Adenuga Through his eponymous Pan-African philanthropic foundation, the Globacom Chairman helps Nigeria and other African countries to achieve social and economic independence while contributing to an improved future for Nigerians and other African citizens. The foundation puts smiles on people’s faces by creating or supporting initiatives that deliver knowledge, skills, resources and

For several decades, the Alliance Française, committed to promoting French culture and teaching French as a second language around the world, was located in the boisterous area of Yaba, Lagos But thanks to the generosity of Dr Adenuga, the organisation now has a new home in Ikoyi that has been aptly named the Mike Adenuga Centre. Since it was declared open to the public in 2019, the centre has been receiving commendations from far and near from art aficionados and artists, and preeminent Nigerians In Adenuga’s reckoning, it is all in a day’s work Philosophy

Virtues, according to him, should be, in the popular estimate, the rule guiding human conduct in business, social and political circuits rather than the exception “A man is nothing without his virtues,” he argues Thus he endeavours to do good But his deeds are done not as an apology or extenuation of his fortune and citizenship of the world While many rich men propagate virtues as penances for the inaction of the world’s privileged divide, Adenuga imbibes and perpetuates the culture of goodness out of an intrinsic part of his manliness

Reports abound that despite his large heart, Adenuga has suffered untold betrayals from friends and staff Yet, he does not harbour resentment towards anyone He forgives easily Thus, he sets high standards, which he abides by as a matter of exemplary leadership and integrity of character Therefore, it is not surprising that doing good comes naturally to him, which is why no amount of betrayal or backbiting would deter him from what he believes in He doesn’t hug the limelight despite that it comes with his monumental attainments

Notwithstanding his depth as an entrepreneur extraordinaire, philanthropist, and citizen of humanity, Adenuga covets no vanities, unlike other billionaires He demands no free verses, heroic couplets, or ornamental rhymes to glorify his personage as a man Adenuga is hardly given to such infectious vanities

Watching Adenuga preside over his business empire, you get inspired by how beautifully he weaves the strands of his acumen and entrepreneurial depth into a dominant narrative.

MIKE ADENUGA : 70

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA, GLOBAL ICON AT 70 -Kayode Alfred

Dr Mike Adenuga is 70! It is that time of the year when people gather around the world to celebrate genius and innovativeness condensed as an individual. It is the birthday season of Dr Mike Adenuga Jr, the business giant behind several successful businesses in Telcommunications, Oil & gas Real estate, Road construction, etc

Even as the man clocks 70, the best of writers and encomium farmers have gathered around to sing praises until even the stars twinkle in shock

However, having known the wonderful shocks that Adenuga has dished out in the form of his matchless business successes over the years, starry stupefaction is just the opening act to a series of magnificent things to come.

Adenuga is 70! It is such an amazing time to observe and learn from such a mind Students of

business, leaders in the corporate world cherish the feat of Dr Mike Adenuga, jnr They have seen first hand what differentiates risk takers , investors and moguls from the rest of us. He has been replicating impossible feats ever since he left University in the United States of America

Fortune is Adenuga’s friend It has long been his companion and ally ever since we can remember Compared to this man’s doings, so many so-called business innovations of the present are the result of children playing in the mud After all, there are very few Nigerians who can claim to be at Adenuga’s level, especially when the bout is one of business diversification, resounding successes, and a firm grasp of how the business world in Nigeria, Africa, and other regions of the world ticks

Is it the banking industry? Adenuga’s

footprints abound Is it in oil and gas? Many of the models of commerce in the industry jingle with Adenuga’s ideas and ideology And when it is a matter of social and cultural contributions, Adenuga has long surpassed some of those that came before them.

At 70, Adenuga has blown the ram’s horn of greatness and magnificence louder than expected The man has left no stone unturned in erecting so high an edifice of prodigious brilliance and business acumen that the majority of his peers appear like ordinary people next to him Is it any wonder other African business leaders call him “The Spirit of Africa”?

So, yes, Adenuga has crossed 70 Even so, his achievements remain uncrossed, high, and out there, unbroken and unmatched

OF ALLI ANC E FRA NCAI SE MI KE ADEN UGA CEN TRE IN IKOYI, LAGOS

HE EXEMPLIFIES THE NOBLEST VIRTUES OF INDUSTRY, PHILANTHROPY AND MODESTY -Abisoye Fagade

Hearty Congratulations, Mr Chairman!

On this 70th birthday of the quintessential "Spirit of Africa," Dr Mike Adenuga Jr, it becomes mandatory to salute your selflessness, unwavering commitment to humanity, and stunning accomplishments.

There is no gainsaying your matchless acuity, extraordinary wit, impossibly charming poise and radiant spirit All of these furnish you as Nigeria’s most invaluable business icon

Sir, you exemplify the noblest virtues of industry, philanthropy and

modesty, from which we continue to learn

You have envisioned franchises that many deemed impossible and birthed from them, innovative businesses that continue to manifest as positive case studies for scholars, and templates for the boardrooms You genuinely make the world a better place for every human, by simplifying in daring ways what many consider as very complex

As I felicitate with you on your birthday, may Almighty God continue to endow you with strength, vision and enduring devotion in your quest for a better Nigeria nay Africa

More Grace, Sir!

ADENUGA THE MAN WHO NEVER TAKES NO FOR AN ANSWER

-Simon Kolawole

This is stranger than fiction: in my three decades as a journalist, I have met Dr Mike Adenuga Jr, chairman of Globacom, only once-in December 2003 I was part of a group of editors that regularly met with thenPresident Olusegun Obasanjo at his Ota farm in Ogun state On one of those occasions, Obasanjo was having breakfast with the big entrepreneurs That was how I finally set my eyes on Adenuga, who was full of smiles as we entered Obasanjo’s living room I walked up to him, introduced myself and he shook hands with me warmly The “big boys” soon left the room and we were alone with Obasanjo, discussing the 2003 elections and other issues of significance

I would later meet Adenuga through the eyes of my friends who worked with him: Chidi Uzor and Olabode Opeseitan Chidi was once my deputy when I was editor of THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper The day he told me he was leaving THISDAY for Globacom, I was not too happy I had no problems with Adenuga or Globacom, but as someone who has sworn to be a journalist for life, I was unhappy that yet another brilliant brain was leaving our cherished

profession We kept in touch He had only good things to say about his new boss, always giving me interesting insights into Adenuga’s marketing ingenuity I was often in awe of how the telecoms company took the market by storm

For those who may not know, or might have forgotten, we used to pay at least N50 anytime we made a pay-as-you-go call when mobile phone services were launched in 2001. If you made a call that lasted for just one second, you would still pay N50 One second and 60 seconds attracted the same charge In those days, network connection was poor-largely because of inadequate infrastructure It was so common for the caller and the receiver not to hear each other but N50 would be gone within the twinkle of an eye. Nigerians were enraged and demanded that they should pay for only the seconds used The networks said per-second billing was “technologically” impossible in Nigeria

Until Adenuga entered the scene In August 2003 And changed everything Forever

By introducing the “impossible” per-second billing, Adenuga broke, as it were, the backs of MTN and Econet (now called Airtel after going

through a dozen changes in ownership and branding) You would only pay for the seconds you used Simple As icing on the cake, he also brought down the pay-as-you-go tariff to about N35 per minute Tariffs were already dropping before Glo entered the fray, but it was a double treat to its customers that they could pay per second and also pay less for a minute Like magic, the other networks that had sworn persecond billing was a daydream, or pipeline, ate the humble pie and started implementing what was technologically “impossible”

But Glo had already eaten into their market. If Glo was not your first mobile line, then it was your second Within its first year, it had amassed over a million subscribers in a market thought to have been cornered by the two dominant operators Glo would go on to introduce a number of value-added services, such as mobile internet and vehicle-tracking. It built Glo 1, the first submarine cable from the United Kingdom to Nigeria, to provide faster internet access, among other things Today, Glo has 60 7 million subscribers-only behind the colossal MTN. The vision of one man has not only improved the

fortunes of millions of people but has steadily contributed to national development.

At this point, I need to make a confession When I first heard of Adenuga in the 1990s as an upcoming player in the oil sector, my impression was that he was fronting for a military general Although I was one of those later celebrating his strides, the notion that he was fronting for a former military ruler naturally curtailed my enthusiasm It was sometime in 2009 when I read the interview of Professor Jibril Aminu in Daily Sun that I finally let go of my petty prejudice Aminu was the petroleum minister when Adenuga’s Consolidated Oil got its first oil block. It struck oil in commercial quantity in the shallow waters of Ondo state in 1991 It was a first for a wholly Nigerian company

In the interview, Aminu spoke on a number of issues One, he said he discovered that the big oil companies did not own the rigs “They were all hiring rigs from the oil service companies, like Schlumberger,” he said “I discovered that oil was just another business I discovered that a lot of the chiefs of the international oil companies I met were not necessarily petroleum engineers or chemical engineers. They were businessmen, some were accountants; some were lawyers ” This appeared to have opened Aminu’s eyes to the fact that it was all about entrepreneurship Get the oil block, get the personnel, get the finance and get going! He told himself that Nigerians too could play the game

Two-and this is the part that is relevant to this essay in honour of Adenuga who clocks 70 today Aminu told of how Adenuga got the oil block Describing him as “a great businessman”, Aminu said he got to know Adenuga in 1990 when he came in company with Mr David Ogbodo (Aminu’s special assistant) to see him Aminu said: “I didn’t even know him [Ogbodo] introduced him to me And if he came [to see me], he would not go until he got whatever he wanted He kept on saying: ‘We are your children, sir, we are your children David and I are your children.’” Adenuga relentlessly lobbied Aminu and got an oil block There were no open biddings in those days -it was purely discretionary

In that interview, Aminu swore that Gen Ibrahim Babangida had nothing to do with Adenuga’s oil block He did admit that he later discovered Adenuga knew people at the top He said: “President Babangida had nothing to do with my meeting Mike Adenuga He was brought by David Ogbodo and I didn’t know him at that time I had heard of Devcom and Equatorial Bank, but I didn’t know he was the owner of the two banks Babangida had nothing to do with it He had nothing to do with my allocating the oil block to him or allocating it to anybody else Naturally, some of the people around him would phone you but not him, nor his wife. That I can say before anybody, before man and God ”

But what impressed me the most, it is important to say, is that unlike many Nigerians

who were getting the discretionary allocations and selling them to make a quick buck, Adenuga chose to be an oil entrepreneur. The upstream sector was a strange field for Nigerian entrepreneurs, but he made history by hitting oil and has gone on to invest his wealth across sectors He is regularly rated as one of the richest entrepreneurs in the world by Forbes The magazine measures Adenuga’s wealth based on only his telecoms and oil businesses, using stock market value and exchange rate He is evidently worth more than the estimated $6 1 billion as some of his companies are not publicly listed

It has not been a smooth ride for Adenuga and this should not be odd. In a developing country, the powers of the state are awesome and the political figures can do and undo Adenuga did not have it easy under Obasanjo First, the first mobile phone licence he got through his Communications Investment Limited (CIL) in 2001 was revoked and his deposit of $20 million seized because he reportedly missed the deadline for the payment of the $265 million fee by a few hours Obasanjo was clearly determined not to give him the licence: the hair ’s breadth miss was an insignificant breach of the guidelines No law was broken. In a country hungry for investments, that was baffling

But more was in the offing Although there were whispers that Obasanjo did not want Adenuga to get the licence because of his rumoured ties to Babangida, it also did not help that he got another telecoms licence-bigger than the one he lost-when Vice-President Atiku Abubakar presided over the affairs of the country while the president was away in the Caribbean Islands in August 2002 Globacom got the second national carrier licence, of which mobile telephony was just a part. It’s like losing a bucket of mangoes and getting a mango tree in return While his admirers celebrated with him, Obasanjo was quietly seething with rage and Adenuga nearly paid for it with his life, literally As Obasanjo began to prepare to amend the 1999 Constitution in 2006 to give himself an extra term of four years in office (although he disingenuously denies it till this day), Adenuga was one of the targets marked for demolition by the third term strategists He was seen as an ally of Atiku, who staunchly opposed the third term agenda The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), headed by Mallam Muhu Ribadu, became a weapon of mass destruction in the

hands of Obasanjo They went after Atiku, but Adenuga became collateral damage in the process as they tried to create a link between his Equitorial Trust Bank (now part of Sterling Bank Plc) and the then vice-president

In Gestapo fashion, the EFCC operatives invaded Adenuga’s Lagos home and broke down as many things as they pleased-using extrasophisticated equipment They had an excuse: Adenuga had failed to honour their invitations I too wondered why he did not honour the invitations But the war-like approach confirmed Adenuga’s fears that everything was political The EFCC was just working to an answer They arrested him and, as we later heard, were determined to move him to Abuja overnight by road It was a humiliation and traumatisation strategy He was eventually set free He fled into exile, returning only after a wounded Obasanjo grudgingly left power in May 2007.

I fully admit that I do not know Adenuga well enough to be able to comment on his person, but like every normal human being, he must have his failings There is nothing weird about that However, people often talk, privately and publicly, about his generosity and philanthropy I am more impressed that he does not make a show of it Some so-called philanthropists will give an ailing celebrity N5 million and then spend N10 million to publicise it Adenuga does his own quietly and discreetly I have nothing but respect for people who do this. I am a believer in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ: “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing ”

There is a romantic part of Adenuga’s story that should not escape us as it comes with some inspiration He was not born into the home of established industrialists, although his Ijebu Yoruba subethnic group is known for business acumen His father, Oloye Michael Adenuga Sr, was a school teacher His mother, Omooba Juliana Oyindamola Adenuga, did some trading Adenuga, while studying for business degrees at the Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, both in the US, drove taxis to pay his way It is a story of his life he never fails to tell It is one worth a rumination What if he had stayed back in the US just because of constant power and traffic lights?

Born on Wednesday, April 29, 1953, Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr schooled in Ibadan, Oyo state, and Aiyetoro, Ogun state, before travelling to the US He came back to Nigeria in the 1970s and started selling lace materials and soft drinks, a business from which he said he made his first million. His banking adventure made him richer but also landed him in danger: he allegedly survived an attempt on his life and virtually became a recluse thereafter Regardless, he stamped his authority on entrepreneurship and earned the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second highest national honour, in 2012; the Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG), the country’s highest, in 2016, “for demystifying telecoms in Ghana and Africa”; and the Légion d’Honneur (LDHr), France’s highest order of merit, in 2018

Adenuga has surely enjoyed favours from God and man in his 70 years so far One of my favourite verses in the Holy Qur ’an that fits this story is the one from Surah ar-Rahman: “Then, which of the favours of thy Lord will ye deny?”

It is not enough to dream big and pursue your dreams with determination Yes, these are important in the story of success But there is a place for timing and opportunity-or chance-and help from above As the Preacher said in the Bible, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all ” Adenuga can easily relate with these divine principles.

At this point, I need to make a confession. When I first heard of Adenuga in the 1990s as an upcoming player in the oil sector, my impression was that he was fronting for a military general.

ADENUGA 70 YEARS OF A BULLISH RUN -Olusegun Adeniyi

“The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”-Dale

Carnegie

Whether Dr Mike Adeniyi Adenuga Jnr chose the Bull as his business moniker or the nickname was given to him, there can be no more fitting sobriquet for a man who is never afraid to dare No matter the odds and regardless of how daunting the challenges may be It is perhaps also not a coincidence that Taurus, the second astrological sign of the zodiac, governs the period of the year between April 20 and May 20 on which Adenuga’s birthday falls Taurus is symbolized by the bull, ordained by ancient civilizations and cultures with the sacred role of divinity

In the world of politics and business, the bull is also a familiar symbol “We grab it by the horns to demonstrate our authority and we use the bull as a symbol in the stock market to represent a rise in prices”, according to Matt Sullivan, a former editor at New York Times and The Atlantic, who argues that the bull has, since prehistoric times, epitomized determination, strength, practicality, stoicism, determination,

ambition, and virility.

Those rare attributes separating the bull from other animals also distinguish Adenuga from other Nigerian businesspeople Adenuga is that man who, if he sets his mind on something, gets it accomplished no matter the obstacles He is not just successful in oil and banking, but he has also built one of the largest telecommunication companies in Africa So, as he joins the elite Septuagenarian Club today, Adenuga can look back with fulfilment on the countless battles he has fought and won

Much has been written about Adenuga’s philanthropy and generosity of spirit His legions of honours include the unusual investiture as Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) by President Goodluck Jonathan, decoration with the insignia of Commander of the Legion of Honour by President Emmanuel Macron of France and conferment of the highest civil national award of the Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG) by President John Mahama of Ghana Adenuga has also played pioneering roles across business sectors, including leading the first indigenous company in the country to strike oil in

commercial quantity. But the enduring value of Adenuga is that he has built a formidable business institution that is spreading the Nigerian brand across the globe And having lived by the business ethos of high risk, high rewards, Nigeria can be proud of his achievements

In the world of business, especially in a country like ours, there are just too many risks and uncertainties Yet, Adenuga has seized every moment in the past four decades to break barriers, surmount obstacles and create records His ability to withstand or recover from setbacks is legendary. From surviving gunshots to losing his father in an auto crash, to having his GSM licence revoked, Adenuga has withstood things that would make peers buckle or crumble While others dream and wait for the ‘right moment’ to act, risktakers like Adenuga are already investing their time, energy, and resources to reach new heights, even amid storms

Adenuga is a man who believes in setting milestones This has continued to stand him out as a real treasure of a man amongst men And he has a compelling story As a young businessperson, Adenuga never depended on his father ’s wealth.

In his early foray in the world of business, he borrowed money from his mother and sister to execute a contract He rose to the pinnacle through hard work, determination, and dedication to duty

To confront our economic challenges in Nigeria, we need the patriotic zeal and courage of men like Adenuga who will not only invest their money but also empower our people in diverse ways For instance, the contribution of Globacom to the entertainment industry goes beyond sponsorships and endorsements to Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives that have helped to resurrect and nurture the career of many veteran artistes who may have ended up in penury in a society that places little premium on art By using local musicians, actors, actresses as well as global stars with Nigerian ancestry for endorsement, Adenuga has deployed his network to project Nigeria’s image beyond the call of business Besides, from putting a lie to the claim that per second billing was impossible in Nigeria to crashing the prohibitive cost of acquiring a GSM line to bringing down the cost of airtime, Adenuga has positioned Globacom to play a disruptive role in the telecoms sector to the benefit of Nigerians

That Adenuga’s bullish mindset serves us in Nigeria is not in doubt We need risk takers who will work for growth opportunities and invest with a positive attitude Today, his contributions have helped to improve the living standards of millions of people, particularly those in rural areas The same goes for Africa where Adenuga has demonstrated that creating sustainable businesses is key to driving job creation and economic development. He has invested a significant amount of money in different projects across the continent, including agricultural development programmes, health research, and technology advancement initiatives

Considering Adenuga’s extraordinary wealth and the government licensed sectors in which he operates (oil and gas, banking, telecoms), there are some who may want to downplay his achievements. I believe the best illustration of the Adenuga story is the Biblical parable of talents, a most profound teaching by the Lord Jesus Christ set within the context of investments and productivity (Matthew 25:14-30) As the parable goes, shortly before embarking on a journey, a rich man delegated the management of his wealth to three servants by giving five talents to one, two talents to another and one talent to a third Upon his return, he found that the first two earned him a hundred percent profit on his investments, while the third servant, who had buried his talent in the ground, returned it without profit

The Bible makes it clear that the

master understood the capacity of each servant, which explains the disparity in the number of talents he gave them The Nigerian state might have given either five or two ‘talents’ to a few, but there are thousands of other Nigerian businessmen who have been handed a ‘talent’ each If only ten percent of them had been faithful, Nigeria would be a better country today Therefore, the proposition that we need more Adenugas in Nigeria is not about the quantum of ‘talents’ given but rather in the effort they put into deploying those ‘talents’ for the advancement of our society

Meanwhile, Adenuga’s aversion to the media and publicity is well known, avoiding the grandstanding that we see with many wealthy Nigerians But in a rare public engagement to mark his 40th birthday in April 1993, Adenuga released a disquisition on ‘Achieving’ that provides a peep into his mind in a way that confirms his bullish disposition to business An “achiever” according to Adenuga, “is a leader, a winner, all the time, not just once” while dismissing the notion that anybody should approach worthwhile ventures with the spirit of the Olympics which places emphasis simply on participation “Leading the pack is the only worthwhile resolve for the achiever There is no room for second place to be the first, and always the first; to be the one who holds the aces that determine the pace of play You match your wits against others, with your entire constitution springing to action ”

Three decades later, that remains the operating principle of ‘The Bull’ Adenuga is a visionary who has done well for himself but has also produced enormous public value for his country and continent And as he clocks 70 today, I join millions of people across the world in wishing him happy birthday, long life, and good health

Adenuga is a man who believes in setting milestones. This has continued to stand him out as a real treasure of a man amongst men. And he has a compelling story

’

MIKE ADENUGA AT 70: A T R I B U T E T O T H E GRANDMASTER

-Reuben Abati

Ihave no reservations whatsoever in joining many others at home and abroad today, Saturday, April 29, to celebrate the birthday of the man popularly known as Otunba, Dr Mike Adenuga on the occasion of his attainment of the landmark age of three scores and ten It is trite knowledge that 70 is the Biblical age The average time of longevity in Nigeria is 54, a country bedevilled by many existential crises and issues Living up to the age of 70, in a country where death is cheap, poverty is rife, political leaders are not trusted, the road lies in wait to grab harvests on a daily basis-is in itself an achievement It is therefore fit and proper to celebrate Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr on the occasion of his 70th birthday Born on April 29, 1953, he is seventy today, and he truly deserves our applause In the past week, I have seen a surfeit of tributes and announcements One particularly notable one was posted by Aare Dele Momodu, one of Otunba Adenuga’s many proteges and beneficiaries, on his social media pages Aare Momodu tells us that today, to be precise, there will be no loud parties Otunba Adenuga has chosen to be at home with his family to reflect on an unprecedented trajectory; thanking God for seventy years of abundant grace, (2) that those who wish to celebrate with him should do so in modesty and simplicity which reflect his own reclusive personality;

(3) that he would be delighted to have the younger generation read about his epic battles for success and imbibe some of the extraordinary attributes that catapulted him to being one of the most enigmatic icons on planet earth; (4) Dele Momodu says Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr has dominated the business space in the last four decades with investments in commodity trading, real estate, banking, oil and gas, t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , manufacturing and construction. … and (5) he adds that Mike Adenuga is a most generous giver and a silent donor to worthy causes ” I concur Seventy years of achievement

Seventy years of glory

The only part of this advisory that I think will not fly is the build-up story that Otunba Mike Adenuga is going to spend his special day, today, ensconced with family, reflecting on his 70 years, in line with the virtues of modesty and simplicity and a reclusive personality

Yes, I know, that Otunba Mike Adenuga is a selfeffacing personality With all his accomplishments, you won’t find him making noise at social events, throwing money around or trying to prove that he is a big man, as Nigerians say But come off it, he is 70 today He deserves to stage a dance, and sing a song Where I come from, every birthday has what I call implications because birthdays are not for dying, they are for celebrations not monastic ruminations and

hibernation Otunba Adenuga’s aides should be told to urge their boss to celebrate God has been kind to him. Adenuga at 70 is an occasion for pepper soup and jollof rice, and let no one tell him to restrict the feast to his family The other day when Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) turned 60, I was quietly in my house when they sent me jollof rice and other gift items which I received and consumed with relish When, a few years earlier, Nduka Obaigbena, the publisher of this newspaper, turned 60 we all went to Eko Hotel, the rooftop oh, not any small space, where we all had fun and took photographs I ate and I took something home!

Can someone please drag out Otunba Mike Adenuga, today and let him have fun, as we all join his friends and family to wish him a happy birthday, because he is indeed a jolly good fellow, an icon, a role model, a man with a good heart and a dependable guy He is one of those persons that President Muhammadu Buhari referred to the other year when he talked about diamonds that make Nigeria great Mike Adenuga is indeed a fine representation of the Nigerian dream, one of those who give hope to younger generations that it is possible to achieve, excel in whatever you put your mind and energy to, and surpass your dreams

Michael Adenuga is identified with two major animals as totems of signification: the first is the Bull The Bull is the second sign of the Zodiac sign: Taurus, an earth sign relating to persons born between April 20 and May 20 Persons born under this sign are cosmic oxens, steadfast, loyal

and ready to roll up their sleeves and get results Apart from Otunba Mike Adenuga, one other Nigerian, in fact the only other one that I know who goes by the epithet “the Bull” is Daniel Amokachi, the ace footballer and legend Daniel Amokachi even in retirement is one of the best that ever played football There are men and there are persons I submit that our subject in this commentary is a man It is not for nothing that Otunba Mike Adenuga is portrayed in other representations as a lion The lion is the king of animals In his many expeditions in the course of seven decades, Mike Adenuga has indeed proven himself to be a king I mean this in the literal sense without prejudice to the fact that he is the son of a princess of Ijebu Ode, who married an Ijebu-Igbo man, whose burial is recorded as one of the most befitting and colourful in contemporary times, nor the fact that Mike Adenuga is a first cousin of the Ogbagba II, paramount ruler of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, one of the longest living monarchs in Nigeria having spent more than 60 years on the throne My point is that Adenuga had royal blood in him, but he became king not in the palace, but on the streets of struggle and selfrealization Despite his privileged background with noble connections, he actually sent himself to school in the United States Business schools teach case studies, and the models can be organizational or individualspecific I once sat in classes where the subject was about CEOs-what makes them tick, how they think, how they are made, and why they do what they do Mike Adenuga would prove to be a

classic case study, and a source of lessons for the younger generation Some of his critics, and I am sure there would be many out there, are likely to say that he is a lucky guy, who managed or happened to be in the right place at the right time Afterall, he attended Ibadan Grammar School Founded in March 1913, Ibadan Grammar School was one of those top elite schools in Ibadan, of Anglican Church extraction This was the school that Mike Adenuga attended

The school also had on its alumni list, Justice Franklin O M Atake, a distinguished jurist, Chief Ayo Rosiji, lawyer, politician, former Minister; Chief Michael Omolewa, the industrialist; my late boss, mentor, benefactor and employer, Mr Alex Ibru, founder of The Guardian Newspapers and the Sheraton Hotels, Dr Olusegun Agagu, former Governor of Ondo State, and Chief Bola Ige, lawyer, politicians, author and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice The school also had the reputation of having had as principal and founder, the late Pa Bishop Alexander Babatunde Akinyele who brought much distinguished glory to the school

We had a lecturer, Mr Sonny Samson-Akpan, in Calabar in those days who never failed to remind us that he attended Ibadan Grammar School If we wanted to prod him, we would point out that Ibadan also had Government College, Ibadan (GCI) which had an even more glowing story The truth is that once upon a time in this country, alumni and alumna of different schools used to compete for glory They were proud of their alma mater. But that is another story entirely After Ibadan Grammar School,

Mike Adenuga went to Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro for his A’Levels as it is called “Compro,” as that school was popularly known was one of the best schools in Nigeria’s Western Region It had excellent teachers, offering American-styled education It provided a truly comprehensive education across disciplines and subjects Products of the school, from that era, even till today, still go about as if they are on stilts, although the school like many others of that glorious season has changed form, content and substance.

The Adenuga story is that he later went on to the United States for further education, and there, working as a taxi driver, he sent himself through college, getting a first degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a graduate degree from Pace University, New York, majoring in Business Administration The man we are celebrating today is that taxi driver, I think they call a taxi driver, a cabbie in the US, who is now 70 and is known as one of the most accomplished men on the African continent He became an entrepreneur quite early, buying and selling He was already a millionaire by the age of 26 He sold lace and soft drinks By 1990, he had diversified into many areas of enterprise and industry, banking, oil and gas, entrepreneurship

In 1990, his company, Consolidated Oil and Gas, (CONOIL) had struck oil in commercial quantities in the shallow waters of South Western states of Nigeria He also founded a bank, now

defunct - the Equatorial Trust Bank (ETB) He is also today, the Chairman and Founder of Globacom, the second largest telecom operator in Nigeria, with significant presence in other African countries including Ghana and Benin Republic

Adenuga is regarded by Forbes and other wealth-watching groups as the second richest man in Nigeria Adenuga is the second richest man in Nigeria and the sixth richest in Africa To bring that to the level of the common man, each time you make a call on the Globacom network just to say “Hello My Neighbour How are you today?” Mike Adenuga makes money He mints money

I have been attending classes in International Political Economy taught by Professor D K Ologbenla who has been treating such subjects as the Theories of Capitalism, the definitions, scope and essence of political economy the Tenets of Capitalism, International Aid, Multinational Corporations, IMF/World Bank, and in all this he talks about the capitalist as an agent for wealth production/creation, property acquisition, job creation and value addition In other words, whether you view capitalism from the laissez faire, neo-liberal perspective or the communist conception, capitalism ultimately adds value, and it is better to have a balanced perspective of the various propositions Otunba Mike Adenuga is one of those capitalist agents involved in trade and industry and one of the most impactful in Africa, promoting prosperity and economic growth It is instructive that he has been honored by his own country, Nigeria, as a Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), the second highest honour in Nigeria He has also received high honours from Ghana, and France where in 2018, President Emmanuel Macron conferred on him the prestigious Commander of the Legion d’Honneur In Ijebuland, he is Otunba Apesin He is also one of the top-most influential Africans alive today But the key thing is his promotion of welfare capitalism, his commitment to charity and community (the three Cs), philanthropy, and the manner in which he constantly gives back and helps to recreate society I have read quite a number of tributes in the last week, from persons who have given testimonies of how they have benefitted directly from his generosity As someone who has known him since I was a young, very angry, activist, journalist, I have been a beneficiary of his many acts of generosity I don’t intend to tell those stories here today I would rather reserve my “Adenuga and I stories” till another date Most of our people are too envious I don’t want to put anybody under unnecessary pressure as in: hen hen, is it Reuben Abati alone? I don’t want to attract the attention of you people who put eyes and mouths in other people’s matter This is about Otunba Michael Adenuga: his humanism, his accomplishments, his heroism

He has done so much for the land of his birth: creating wealth, prosperity, opportunities and building lives As he turns 70 today, I urge you to charge your glasses and let’s propose a toast to this great son of Ijebuland, Ogun State, Nigeria, Africa, and a global, bridge builder across the world as he turns 70 Is Bella reading this? Bella Adenuga (now Mrs Disu) is Otunba Adenuga’s daughter, if you are there, please bell me I will tell you my address, for the onward transportation of my own Birthday mendemende as they say in Yoruba language Even the great Michael Adenuga must know that it is not fair for him to hide on his birthday today Happy birthday sir Many Happy Returns Cheers

Can someone please drag out Otunba Mike Adenuga, today and let him have fun, as we all join his friends and family to wish him a happy birthday, because he is indeed a jolly good fellow, an icon, a role model, a man with a good heart and a dependable guy.

‘ ’

ADENUGA : CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR AFRICA'S RAREST BUSINESS ICON AT 70

-Olabode Opeseitan

He is one of Africa’s rarest and most exceptional business icons of the last two decades. Dr. Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga is a colossus. Blessed with the gift of business clairvoyance, the resilience of a bull and the intellectual depth of a sage to turn the ordinary to extraordinary, Dr. Adenuga can foresee hidden treasures thousands of miles beneath the sea level or in the underbelly of the earth. If you reckon with the yet-to-be tapped humongous resources at his disposal, which I’m fully aware of, his may be the story of the undisputed richest man in Africa the world may never unearth. A part of him does not even want to be so called. He believes the revulsion, jealousy and distractions that will come with the

rosette will lionise his adversaries and sap his energy.

Like the ageless philosopher-musician, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey once waxed lyrical about the divinity of the mission of Adenuga (whom he called Aneyetoto), the business grandee has often showed that he is a blessing to Nigeria, Africa and the world. God in HIS infinite mercy has blessed him beyond what the eyes can see Sometimes, his generosity upended legendary charities Quietly on his unofficial payroll are traditional rulers, retired military Generals, professionals of all hues, friends, associates and individuals totally unknown to him who have been mauled by the vicissitudes of

existentialism.

Mr Chairman, as you celebrate your special day in the quietude of your ultra-luxurious Villa, please remember that conversation we had in late December 2018 We cannot count up to five people in a continent of 1 3 billion people who God has blessed the way he showed you His grace and mercy It is time to deepen your legacy You have deployed decades of hard work and devotion to duty to build an inimitable empire This is the time for the Mike Adenuga Foundation to kick in robustly and continue the good work of alleviating the plight of the less privileged in a way that will touch millions of more lives

Happy 70th birthday, the Great Guru Happy 70th birthday to the charismatic and inimitable man who first appointed me a Director eighteen (18) years ago

Just like your generous spirit, my wishes for you are indeed bounteous Anikun ola (ever increasing wealth) Anikun alaafia (ever improving health) Anikun emi gungun (lenght of years). These are just some of my wishes for you.

I remember the trip to Ghana to represent Otunba (Dr) Mike Adenuga, Jnr at the opening of House of OVATION, just as i remember another trip

ADENUGA 70 GONGS FOR ANIYIKARIAIYE

-Olayinka O. Akande#

rustics with equal aplomb. One of the qualities that i found most endearing and very instructive about him is his CAN-DO spirit

I once recieved a call to see him at about 1pm on a sunny day Immediately i was ushered in, Chairman gave me an urgent assignment that required going to South Africa, and he insisted that i went that same day No pre-booked tickets, no pre-arranged hotels, no airport pick-up plan, no FOREX All i had was a stash of cash in naira The day didn't look so sunny anymore

However, one point of redemption was that i had a valid SA visa- as he insisted that his coterie always have current visas to all major countries at any point in time) From my previous Unilever and CocaCola experience, that was an utterly impossible task! Or so it seemed The story of how i bought an international flight ticket at the airport (my first and only time) and was airborne that night is for another day

What about his jocular side? He has a sense of humour that's second to none! I made a particular presentation to him and the A-team (an assemblage of eggheads and tested professionals) After putting in a lot of cerebral and physical effort into pulling off what was obviously well received across the board, I was eager to recieve his personal assessment

As he was wont to do, he asked everyone in the boardroom to make their comments/evaluation first. I was coasting home nicely, by my reckoning Then it was his turn Dr Mike Adenuga shot out at me: "YINKA, HOW MANY WIVES DO YOU HAVE?"

I was totally confused Absolutely knocked for six I hesitantly answered: "I HAVE ONE WIFE, SIR" (Truth be told, at that point in time i was not sure how many wives i had out of sheer panic! I hope Folashade is not reading this).

After a few seconds that seemed to drag on for hours, the chairman intoned: "YINKA, YOUR MOUTH IS TOO SWEET" FOR YOU TO HAVE JUST ONE WIFE!" Then roaring laughted erupted!

at which we unveiled Globacom's sponsorship package for the Agrican Cup of Nations to President John Kufour

The Guru is easily one of the most passionate, charismatic, and down-to-earth persons that i have ever come across I remember the several personal notes of appreciation on his goldembossed card and several cheques of huge amounts for work he had already paid us to do as salaried staff

An inimitable man Guru dines with kings and presidents, and he interacts with peasants and

Chairman, you have broughter laughter to many homes and lifted many souls However, you are not perfect, as no man is May God meet you at all your points of need, grant you good health, perfect your pilfrimage, and give you the grace to continue to make an impactful difference in the lives of many people at home and abroad, Aniyikariaiye

I "lower my chest" (using one of your priceless expressions) as you mark your 70th birthday and implore you, as a visionary man of purpose, to live with an eye on posterity May your tribe increase, sir

Aniyikariaiye- "He who attracts honour at home and abroad" It is also a pun on his other name ADENIYI

LIKE GOD, LIKE MAN, LIKE ADENUGA

-Chidi Uzor

According to the Holy books, Man is the only creature God made consultation before creation He is also the only creature that God made in His image "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the foul of air, and over the cattle " God told His council of elders or whoever they may be

But one thing is clear, God consults, and man is the product of such high-powered consultations The subject of this article is not God but about some salient chatacteristics he imbued in men, which some of us have wittingly or unwittingly allowed to be seen

This article is to celebrate Dr Mike Adeniyi Adenuga at 70 On Saturday, April 29, he joined the Septuagenerian club In a country where life expectancy is less than 50, it means he is living his second life after exhausting his first

I do not think it's important to use this

occassion to continue to rehash how rich the man is, for there is no doubt that the man has acquired the wealth of a million men It's no doubt that the man is an entrepreneur of entrepreneurs, yours truly being a product of his overflowing cistern.

But i think what is important now is to point to those everlasting values he has imputed in us, which will live with us even when he has left these shores many many years to come for where they call the great beyond Where it is, I do not know, and why they call it great is left to our imaginations.

The purpose of this odyssey of Dr Mike Adenuga, is to reveal to him the impact he has made in our lives, some of the things he has been doing right without knowing, and some of the so-called abuses he hurls' at us his "subjects" which are interpreted differently by different people according to the spirit they come with For example, if you are an Adenugan, you must have heard at several

times that "you do not have business sense"

Hod do you feel in spite of your so-called, hard-earned experience on the job? Many of us took it for insult But "please lower your chest" Is it not true? Yours truely knew he was right. I, indeed, lacked business sense and still lack some business sense

The other purpose is to let him know that many of us actually appreciate his impact in our lives and he has to know this while still alive There is no other thing we can give him There is actually developing an alumni of the Dr. Adenuga School of Thought. And he is not going anywhere soon

The nay sayers will argue that I'm speaking for myself and it does not in any way represent the general opinion about the man And i concur I once got a house and the landlady, an Igbo woman married to an Ijebu man, wanted to knoq my background I told her everything about me, including my sojourn in Glo As soon as i said that, she went into a long story

of what people say about him

My response was simple Dr Mike Adenuga is an elephant and we, all his subjects are blind men We describe him from where we touched "Oh, it's a boney animal" for he who touched the tusks and any other hard part. "Oh, he is such fleshy and meat full animal" for he who touched the heaps and other fleshy parts

"I touched the fleshy part", I told the mummy So how do you expect a thief, a lazy scoundrel and one who causes harm and who received the summary dismissal to describe him There are others who suffered because of the sin of others and not because of their own sins

So what I'm going to describe herein are personal experiences with The Guru It's a testimony of sorts. Like God, Adenuga remembers no evil deed Just pray je does not take harsh action against you as it's hot One incident comes to mind

As usual, I was called to travel to South Africa to meet our creative team on a promotion project we were handling at the time

I was informed by one of his personal assistants to take some things to him in South Africa I was well instructed to take those things to him personally: I asked where he was and I was told my

colleagues will leaad me to him and that I must deliver the things as soon as I arrive Johannesburg, South Africa I agreed to follow the instrutions But what happened, none of my colleagues agreed he knew where the Chairman was, let alone, tell me about it. You know nah. The fear of the Chairman is the beginning of wisdom

Who will you say directed you to the Chairman's hotel even when i did everything when I did everything to assure them it was his own directive through his PA? The safest way to escape me was to tell me they did not know But one person agreed he knew but told me bluntly he will not take me there, except the Chairman calls him to do that

What was the other option The Chairman might travel outside Johannesburg that night or the following day and must get what I brought for him I begged the man to take it to him, let my only disobedience be that I couldn't take it there myself I could explain that if he asks me Having been asssured that i had delivered the message, albeit wrongly, but at least obeyed the first instruction But my colleague took it to his room, put it in one corner and slept off

In the evening, the Chairman requested to meet

with us I had prepared my defence for not bringing the materials myself But a surprise awaited me He had not reciebed the package and i was not with it As soon as he saw us, he welcomed us and immediately came for me "Chidi, Welcome, Where is my package? I looked like a fool. I looked sideqays to see my colleague He had disappeared I opened my mouth and closed and wanted to mutter some defence But Uncle Demola, his elder brother, came to my rescue He used his legs to press on mine to be quiet

He tried to change the topic, but the Chairman couldnt not bulge "But you were given strict instructions, and you didn't obey them At that point, I knew that if my Chi(God) does not intervene I wouls be going straight to my house from Johannesburg. And I agreed my sin was heavy enough for such a penalty "Did i sleep that night?" I can not remember He had announced at the meeting that we were going to meet our consultants the following morning

I had gone like aprodigal son, not knowung what my fate was But i had no choice I must, of necessity, attend The Guru, as he is popularly called entered about 10 30am, and the entire house of foreign experts stood

"Chidi stand up" Like a sheep meant for the slaughter, i stood up with my heart pumping at the greatest speed i can recall, "I bring to you Chidi Uzor, one of the most brilliant writers in our comapny He knows everything about this project has come to educate you. Ask him any question you want, and he will answer you on this project, but don't try to poach him You can not pay him "My heart almost jumped out of my body How can a villain of last night turn to a hero this morning?

Unbelievable Then, I remembered how God

has used the not worthy persons to perfet His glory Adenuga shares that character with God There is another anathema in the Mike Adenuga Dynasty, or so, we were told Once you are given an instruction by the Chairman or his go-between, you must carry it to the latter, no questioning. It's anachornistic to challenge the instruction of the Chairman And the senior members make it look like that

I had a different belief I do not know where they got their idea of the man's infallibility Some of them will pass their own rules or orders and

present it with the tag, the Chairman said So on this day, I was coming from Apapa, and the Chairman called me t give me instructions on what he wanted me to do First, I failed the first rule Nevel tell the Chairman that you were in an unfavorable disposition to take his instruction. I told him i was diriving and needed to pack to take his call He obliged me and waited for me to find a comfortable place And when i was read; the first question he asked me was whether i was safe enough to take the call To which i responded in the affirmative

The he passed the instruction and gave me the names of the people to use to achieve it I acepted the instructions but begged for an audience to which he obliged me I told him I would not use the people he had recommended because they would not give me the result I intendd to achieve

And his response was, "Chidi, you are the expert Use whoever you want " But i was taking a risk What if my preferred choice did not deliver?

what will happen? I will be squeezed out of existence, so i thought, but i was bold I did what i wanted and the result came out in flying colours Who was the first to call me the following day?

The Chairman himself He was out of himself in excitement. "Nham Ukwu, Ji Kwa nwayo, obukwa aru mmadu", he exclaimed from the other side of the phone I was happy like a child parents just bought a toy for

Would I've been killed? No There was a similar incident when i had to use my initiative, but it didn't give the desired result And I called myself; Mr. Initiative you will see where this will land you True to my expectation, he called, but the worst did not happen H told me that what i did did not come out well and encouraged me to find other ways to do it He didn't even make suggestions, showing that he still trusted my initiative

I acknowleged that it was not the best i could and went to work The Chairman never referred to it, nor used it to raunt me throughout my stay He is the catch, people sell their initiatives blaming others, or do you say i was lucky.

One major character of the Chairman i do not see in the other employers I had worked for, is his special ability to follow up with the task he has given you to do No other employer calls you to thank you for doing the job he employs you to do, and for which he is paying you If every of my colleagues argues with me in every other thing, they will agree with me on this, except the Guru has changed And men seldom change at 60, let alone at 70 and not when those habits have brought them fortune or so it appears.

Adenuga does not forget I left Glo in 2009 It will be 14 years since I left this May And no Christmas has passed nor New Year without a card from a man with whom i spent just six years, working for This rare gift of his separates him from all the others I hope I learnt it But two years ago, he have me the shock of my life, and i still brag about it to my colleagues He gave me the gift of a car. Not eactly. The gift he gave me bought my wife a new car Which employer remembers a staff member 12 years after leaving his company? It's only God that does that Is Adenuga a god? I hear them cry blasphemy! I hear them cry idol worshiper But even when i was with him, I never worshipped him, but i honoured him and i was loyal

These are some of the qualities that humans should possess and for which God decided to make us in His image and in His likeness And if we deviate from these, then we are not of Him. I will dwell on day in the Den when he clocks 75

THE MIKE ADENUGA PEOPLE DON'T KNOW

-Toni Kan

Tributes are pouring in as Dr Mike Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga, GCON celebrates his 70th But most have focused on the indelible footprints he has left on the sands of Nigeria’s corporate landscape This is a more personal tribute that will riff on the little-known aspects of this giant of a man

The gushing tributes are without a doubt fitting for a man who has impacted millions across the world Admirers may call him the Spirit of Africa but he is indeed a Spirit of the World, a global icon courted and feted by

captains of industry and kings and presidents

Like millions of Nigerians, I knew of Mike Adenuga; a billionaire, serial entrepreneur, quiet philanthropist, captain of industry, and one of the richest men in the world (Forget Forbes Africa rich list )

But I finally got to KNOW Mike Adenuga when I went to work for him in February 2022 The year had started off well I had just turned 50 and had bought myself a car I had dreamt of since I was eight years old I had also moved into a lovely house on Victoria Island I had, as they say in Nigeria, arrived

By the middle of January 2022, I could say, without equivocation, that the year was already good Little did I know that it was going to get better!

Mike Adenuga offered me a job and suddenly I was not just singing empty words when I sang Timi Dakolo’s lines-“Adenuga go be my guy!”

What does it mean for Adenuga to be your guy? It is a heady and almost intoxicating feeling It is to bask in the aura of a highly cerebral, deeply intelligent, large-hearted bon vivant and very funny raconteur

It is to be paid well and to enjoy and experience fine dining, choice liquor, and lavish gifts in cash and kind Mike Adenuga is one of the most generous people in Nigeria

He is also a very funny man, full of stories and imbued with an infinite capacity for yabis, what Igbo people call njakiri He will yab you and yab himself without blinking

Sit with Mike Adenuga to an intimate dinner and you will be regaled with tales of hilarious escapades that usually begin in Ibadan, extend to Lagos, make landfall in New Orleans and the smoky bars of New York, continue in Owerri, and unravel in other exciting and exotic locales around the world

As people read this tribute and the abundance of others penned by those who have felt the Adenuga magic, many would scoff and accuse us of hagiography They will call us ass lickers or hacks for hire.

But even in their skepticism, they will nonetheless agree that Mike Adenuga is one of the most generous wealthy men in the world and you have to believe me because I have worked with many wealthy men and women

Many of the skeptics will also quickly point out that he is a hard taskmaster who drives his staff hard Those who call Mike Adenuga a taskmaster, especially those who have worked at close proximity with him, are

right but they tell only half the truth They are right in the sense that to work with Mike Adenuga you have to learn how to borrow one extra hour per day You don’t work 24/7 You work 25/7 This would be terrible if you worked for a man who spent his time attending parties and gallivanting around the world Mike Adenuga works like his staff; 25/7 He is not a member of the “do as I say” gang No sir! He is a “do as I do” kinda guy, one who leads by example, sleeves rolled, eye perpetually on the ball

Igbo people say the disease that gives you a warning will not kill you When you come to work with Mike Adenuga three things are made clear from the day you meet him; he demands loyalty, he wants you to work hard and he will pay you far better than the competition So, if you know the terms of engagement why turn around and call him a taskmaster?

Mike Adenuga is a workaholic who has a finger in different corporate pies baked with ingredients from banking to hospitality, telecoms to aviation, and oil and gas Working with Mike Adenuga is to marvel at his prodigious power of recall, it is to be enthralled daily by a man who is fully plugged in with a finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist

He knows the current hit songs, box office

movies, and trending celebrities He is at home when it comes to discussing geopolitics, youthe money and capital markets, advances in telecoms and technology, and the latest developments in the oil and gas ecosystem

How does a seventy-year-old man remember the names of the top management staff of his companies without missing a beat? And he doesn’t just remember names; he remembers your designation and JD as well as your provenance He will take his time, before meetings, to greet everyone in their own native language from Igbo to Hausa, Yoruba to Edo, Swahili to Xhosa, and Urdu to Arabic

As he turns 70, those who know him well do not expect that he will take his foot off the gas pedal Mike Adenuga does not know how to go slow; he is like a Formula One driver, speed and precision are his hallmarks, and full throttle is the name of the game

As one who has worked with him and enjoyed his kindness and generosity, I want to make a toast to the business maverick and corporate genius-“Baba as you turn 70, here is a toast to lost shirts and fond memories God bless you and give you many more years ”

Signed-Bad Boy Toni!

*Toni Kan is a former Head of PR and Communications at Globacom

MIKE ADENUGA WHAT I SAW -Suyi Ayodele

My first and only physical encounter, at least at a close range, with the Great Guru was on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 I had gone through two stages of interview for a job in his Globacom telecommunication outfit The message came on Friday, July 30, 2004, that the final interview with Mr Chairman was slated for Monday August 2 at 4 00pm Monday came, and another message came, postponing the interview to August 3 There were about 23 candidates

We waited at the Saka Tinubu HR Department of the company It was one of the longest waits for me By 6pm, we were told that the interview would be held at the Oko-Awo office of the Chairman We moved there It was around 10 30pm, when the HR manager came to school us on how to sit, and speak when called in “Once you enter, sit straight with your hands on the table and speak loudly”, the man said By 11 17 pm, I was the first to be called in I entered the office, which was like a cold-room because of the air conditioning system Seated at the head of the table was the Man Himself

He was going through a newspaper and had the first two buttons of his top loose He looked fresh! I sat as I was told Then he turned and asked: “Yes, tell us about yourself” I introduced myself and my hometown At the mention of Ekiti, he dropped the paper and asked me: “Ekiti man, how many PhDs do you have”? I responded that I had no PhD but “a master ’s degree with a PhD grade ” He laughed and everyone laughed I blamed myself Not done, he turned to one white woman, whom I later got to know to be the Head of Customer Care Services, Maria

Svensson, and said: “Oyinbo pepper, do you know Ekiti? Oh, you need to go to Ekiti; they don’t ask you what you want to eat They ask you which soup you want because they assume you want to eat pounded yam Three things spoil Ekiti people, and the three things start with letter P, Pounded yam, PhD and Petition ” He laughed again and others joined him

I was just quiet, wondering if I had made a mistake He turned to me and asked again: “What can you do for us?” Yes, this is the time, I told myself I answered: “Sir, in the course of the interview, I was made to understand that I would be coming in as a Regional Public Relations Manager ” He did not allow me to continue He clapped his hands again “Gentlemen, I like this young man He likes titles ” He continued: “He has created a title for himself, (making an arch with his hands in the air), Regional Public Relations Manager ’’ The laughter almost drowned me He turned to Mr Bode Opeseitan, then Head of PR, Globacom, and asked: “Bode, what is the designation of the young man we engaged some three months ago” Opeseitan answered: “Media Relations Officer sir” The Chairman responded: “Good, if we eventually engage this young man, that is the position you will give to him ” He spoke about one or two other things, asked questions about Edo State and the session ended That was the beginning of my 16-year journey with the Globacom family

There are two songs we use to celebrate elders in my native Ekitiland One of the songs is esoteric; the other social I sing the social one here today for the man popularly known as Mr Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga (Jnr), the

Chairman of Globacom, who turned 70 years on Saturday, April 29, 2023 The song goes thus: “Agbu lu we me hi da, hoora Baba agaba lu we me hi da, hoora Baba” (You are getting old, hello old man, you are indeed getting old) Reaching age 70 in the Nigeria of today, a country ruled and ruined by merciless locusts we have as leaders, is no mean achievement Life expectancy for Nigeria in the preceding year 2022 was put at 55 44 years This is why it is understandable that people who have had dealings with Dr Adenuga (Jnr), one way or the other, rolled out the drums in celebration The goodwill messages have been very huge

Going through all the accolades and encomiums poured on Dr Adenuga (Jnr) in the last one week or so, I came to one conclusion that the man has been very lucky He is lucky because he has succeeded in beating our agelong saying of “Eniyan kii suwon laaye, ojo ti a ba ku ni a ndi ere (A man is not revered while alive, it is when he dies that people make an aesthetic statue of him) From within and without, Mr Chairman has been painted as a good man, a perfect human being and the best humanity can give, by those who through announsorials, write ups and what have you, chose to celebrate him

Like he himself would ask: “Between you and me, what do you think?” How do I answer this? Permit me again to quote the man on how he feels whenever people call him a good man He says: “ The day everybody likes me and calls me a good man, this business is finished ” That is the man’s attitude to kind words, flatteries and patronizing comments about his

character Every man knows his strengths and weaknesses Dr Adenuga (Jnr) surely knows his In one of his interactions with his retinue of staff, he said this; “Gentlemen, I have always known my strengths One of them is to look through people and identify talents ” And indeed, he has one of the most penetrating minds and assessments of people and business environments

Little wonders that he has succeeded this far in life I have no doubt that given his personality and his tendency to pay attention to the minutest details in any memo or presentation made to him, he would have sieved through all the encomiums and judged each accordingly I say this because he once affirmed it to his Executives thus: “ Things don’t escape me What I do is, I keep these small tabs, and I come back to them That is the way to do it, gentlemen ”

Dr Adenuga is like the proverbial elephant meat Each eater comes, cuts any part, tastes it and describes the venison based on the type of meat he thinks he has eaten For many, Mr Chairman, otherwise known as the Great Guru, is the best man ever He is the most generous to those who have benefited from his open-handedness and to those who have seen his other side, they also have their tales to tell What this tells us about the man is that in life, there is no perfect human being

We all strive to be good and leave impressions in the minds of those we encounter in our daily activities I was in the employ of Dr Adenuga (Jnr) for good 16 years Based on my experience, all I can say is that it is not an easy task to pin him to any character trait He has his high moments with people, and he equally has his down time too That is why he is first human This is why, as recorded for him, in some meetings, he volunteered: “Maybe I am the one that is wrong What do you think?” While the attendees responded with: “you are right sir”, “Chairman cannot be wrong”, and “Chairman is correct sir”, the man understands that as a human being, he cannot be right all the time and so, once in a while, he tries to let those around him to note that he is not God

What did I find out about the man and his business empire while my stay lasted in Globacom The first is that Mr Chairman is in full and total control of his business empire His work philosophy is “We must build a ring of protection around the business It is absolutely important ”

Hear him again on what the business means to him: “If I have worked so hard to put the money together, I will not allow anybody to rubbish it ” As said earlier, he has a very penetrating mind and probably, through experiences, he has found out that many would abuse power if given unfettered permission to run things In an instance, when an overbearing attitude of one of the executives came to his knowledge, he upbraided the fellow thus: “Did you write any exam to sit on that chair? And yet you are doing big man for nothing Humble yourself and learn to work better with others ” Such admonitions help in whipping those who would have built an empire within an empire back to line

The man sure has a good sense of humour And, oh, he has a way with words! He can be equally acerbic and unpredictable Take for instance, the occasion he sent one of his close men on an errand and the man came back and sent a short text message to him He responded thus: “Bros, this message is too short There is no information here Can you give us full details please!” A week or so later, the same executive was also given another assignment and when he came back, he sent a lengthy message to Mr Chairman This is what he got in response: “Awe o, this message is too long I am no longer a schoolboy! Make it short ” In another case, a very long memo was presented to him, and he responded thus: “Shouldn’t you know I’m the Chairman? I don’t have the time to read through all this What are the current

issues? Please revert ” Confused? Then hear this

At a presentation session, one of the senior guys was trying his high falutin prowess and he was cut short thus: “I can’t have you practice your English on me What is this ‘upping the ante’ all about? Ante! Ante!! Ante!!! I am not your mate; I am the Chairman!” If you were in that situation, what would you do? Those who experienced such took it in their strides because the next moment, the same Mr Chairman is cracking jokes with them One of the ‘Chairman’s boys’ once told me this of the man’s attitude: “The Baba once told me that before he goes to bed, he takes notes of all that transpired in the day to determine if he was fair to some people, or he was justified Those he felt he was unfair to; he reached out to them This is why it is possible for you to have a bad day in a meeting with Baba and the next day, you have a lunch appointment with him”

Dr Adenuga (Jnr) is an enigma, no doubt He sees only those he wants to see, while those who want to see him don’t get to see him It is pretty much easier to get the proverbial excreta of the masquerade than to see the man who calls the shorts from his Banana Island palatial home cum office The reward package in his system is not the most perfect, but it is equally not the worst The man believes in the element of luck in life And truly, luck plays a good part in his life As an Ijebu man, he makes a nonsense of the notion that an average Ijebu man is miserly Adenuga can be too generous to a fault His largesse, tagged “stoning” by staff, comes in different forms and that makes him more like the mystery man I recall here that sometime in 2010, he “touched base” with some of the PR guys in appreciation of a project well done

But he left out the three of us A week later, our Head of Unit went to thank him on behalf of everybody He told the head that he did not give money to everyone and asked if our boss wanted him to extend the gestures to the three of us, to which the man responded in the affirmative Guess what he did Instead of what he gave to the earlier beneficiaries, he doubled what he sent to the three of us

Again in 2012, after we finished the Ofala Festival in Onitsha, the team lead went to go and give an account of how much was spent and what was left “Share the money with the boys”, was what Mr Chairman told him I was in Owo, driving to Akure, when the information came that the man asked us to share the leftover money As I got to the B Division area in Akure, I got a call from our boss I picked the call, and this is what he said: “Suyi, Mr Chairman asked me to give you a cheque of ” I thanked our boss and put a call across to a colleague to find out what

happened What I was told was the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi, while thanking Mr Chairman for making the year ’s Ofala Festival colourful, also praised the Globacom staff who came to activate the Globacom end of the ceremony for doing a good job Pronto, the Chairman called the team lead and asked for the list of all those involved in the activation and sent a significant amount to them

Dr Adenuga does not use the word, “sack”, whenever he wants to yank off anyone from the system What you hear is like: “Shouldn’t we ask him to go home?” “Can we ask him to excuse us?” “Can you please put a paper in his hands” or, “Can you let him feel the weight of a paper?” Such euphemism! His philosophy, as espoused in the quoted piece above is “There is no excellent way of parting, but there are many good ways” Many indeed left the system in very pleasant circumstances and many others in not too good ways Interestingly,

Dr Adenuga (Jnr) never closes doors on relationships There are many people who were made to “feel the weight of papers” only to be invited back when the needs arose The man behind the wheels knows that he cannot have it right with all the people, hence, he philosophizes thus: “Some people have affection for me; some hate me I know ” Whatever attitude one may have with Dr Adenuga is based on what one experienced while working with him, or, for him Globacom is an institution and anyone who passes through that empire must have lessons – to learn

Now the Great Guru has clocked the Platinum age of 70. What can one wish for such old age rather than celebrate him with the old folks’ song above. At 70, Dr. Mike Adenuga has become an Eegun Agba (Elders Masquerade). My people say “lero lero ni eegun agba ma njo (The Elders masquerade dances gently) Mr Chairman should slow down now and rest more The Great Guru is one of the luckiest Nigerians and it is gratifying to note that he is giving back to that same society that made him like no other person in his grade His passion for Nigeria as shown by the existence of 90 percent of his business concerns on the shores of the country speaks volume of his personality and remains inimitable Whatever may be his failings as a human being, we can only ask for God’s grace upon him like every other creature of the Omniscient On this note, may I wish our Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga (Jnr) long life and sound health Happy birthday to the true O si Na Nwanta Buru Ogananya!

King is Giant 70

-Ebere Wabara

The King of Giants is 70 years today He is not a traditional ruler, but an entrepreneurial and philanthropic icon who is globally inimitable His exponential currency and dominance in virtually all spheres of human existentialism defy logic and comprehension. He is essentially a mystique by all ramifications! His phenomenal passion for quintessence and mentorship quest make him a trailblazer in all departments of life. He is the compass for most people and savours navigating channels and pathways for those who have the esteemed privilege of interfacing with him at multifarious levels The achievements of this Adonis are quite intriguing and subtly intimidating Little wonder he is the leader of men Mr Chairman’s sterling characteristics, vision and strengths that swim in assiduity are confounding and recommend emulation by those who aspire to follow his footsteps and desire distinction in all circumstances It is to his inerasable credit that Nigerians and non-Nigerians can communicate effectively and efficiently today without rip-off by competition as obtained before his revolutionary intervention in our people’s speech chemistry through the exquisite instrumentality of our own Globacom

Today is not for the comprehensive profiling of The Bull, but strictly felicitation of the unprecedented industry innovator There are other platforms for such biographical pastimes What follows here is just a brief bullet presentation on who The Guru is and what he basically represents and thereafter a continuation of our celebratory jollification.

SUMMATIVE BOX ON ADENUGA’S BACKGROUND

• Adenuga, Nigeria’s second richest man, built his fortune in telecom and oil production

• His mobile phone network, Globacom, is the

second largest operator in Nigeria, with 55 million subscribers

•His oil exploration outfit, Conoil Producing, operates 6 oil blocks in the Niger Delta

• Adenuga got an MBA at Pace University in New York, supporting himself as a student by working as a taxi driver

• He made his first million at age 26 selling lace and distributing soft drinks

From all indications, Chairman’s divine health, exceeding wisdom and longevity are guaranteed by our Creator Otherwise, how else can one rationalize his hearty youthfulness, mature exuberance, giant-size agility, purposeful leadership of men and boundless optimism in all circumstances of life, particularly institutional engagements?

It is an understatement to describe this boss of bosses as an accomplished entrepreneur, because right from his childhood to university days, he was exposed to and engaged in commerce, industry and risk-taking which have all culminated in the occupational reverence that dots his ways endlessly

This tribute is rooted in the fact that this sturdy Tarzan of our time is blessed with global, boundless and borderless visionary instincts that define his trajectories, institutional conquistador and multifarious other involvements in all spheres of life, particularly entrepreneurial sagacity and philanthropic incomparability

Another point to underscore as we voyage into the confounding world of our country’s hardy Hercules, who is 70 years old today, is his illuminative leadership which he brings to bear on his exponential conglomerate in Africa and beyond the continental shores People cannot stop wondering about things that make this recluse mogul especial and tick that competition keeps trailing him perpetually to no avail! His robust

impact on the totality of humanistic endeavours in this part of the world is unassailably immeasurable

A doughty icon of explorative diligence and a generational role model whose assiduity results in interminably unparalleled attainments that exemplify unimaginable audacity which only his like can hallmark, today’s celebrator has an intriguingly intimidating persona that has defied rationalization by one and all He savours motivating and challenging people on grounds of his time-tested belief that nothing is impossible.

This broad-shouldered, barrel-chested and mesomorphic Samson of our generation is so reserved and abhors publicity so much that some of the things inevitably written by a few of us who are beneficiaries of his superlative compassion are put together at our own risk that could evoke his anger on a bad day! But, how else do we show appreciation for his endlessly critical interventions in our lives without periodical tributes like this and others infrequently? This writer is a major signpost of his robust beneficence which is no longer news as almost everyone already knows I am so appreciative that in the past two years I did back-to-back centerspread birthday congratulatory advertorials in this racy medium to celebrate our own Atlas

As I traditionally take off my hat today to this brawny Titan, in celebration of his 70th birthday, I hope I had not in the past anniversary commemorations invaded his precious privacy by my outpouring of well-deserved encomiums on this sinewy tower of strength and raising other tangential issues concerning him I make this avowal because, as I mentioned earlier, Mr Chairman does not subscribe to public acknowledgment or demonstrative gratitude in any form for his innumerable philanthropic gestures Issuing from the above, if that had inadvertently happened, it should be considered the last act of blissful ignorance that is foreclosed!

I have so written about The Guru that many people have gone under the illusion that I may have cousinship relationship with the Iroko of benevolence Therefore, most people who need his charity or even have business ideas get in touch with me through the instrumentality of my toll-free Glo line that is displayed online and offline via my multi-media columns Always, I manage them to the best of my ability knowing full well the tightly-structured and strict disposition of Uncle Niyi to issues generally, be they classifiable or nondescript

In any case, I do not have telephonic or physical access like most other 95 percentage Nigerians to my greatest benefactor, but his love for me is indescribable amid quintessentially dazzling generosities The withdrawal strategic compass which is the fulcrum of the entirety of his modus operandi has worked for him over the decades and keeps navigating his thrusts Overall, I let such inquisitors and charity seekers mostly know that this man of unimaginable compassion has his own terms and conditions (as they say) in his inter-relationship inclination Nobody can stampede him into doing anything ‘Who the hell is that person’ that can cajole/influence this man of taciturnity?

For me, particularly, it is the hallmark of disrespect, distraction and abuse of privileged intimacy calling the sturdy Guru SMS is even worse! Wait a minute, what will be the subject? If he wants (not needs) me at all for anything, the ‘boys’ in Chairman’s office would gladly do the needful

Despite whatever relationship you have with Nna mu Ukwu, you dare not bring your personal challenges to him for whatever reason, let alone another person’s! The moment you futilely try that, you incur his wrath because the all-round czar does not have time for inanities from any quarter! He is essentially engrossed in the totality of his multi-billion-dollar establishments as to have utopian space for irrelevancies, dependencies, beggarliness and slothfulness

Sir, as you ruminate over life today, your sovereignty over opulence and optimal health crowned by longevity will be sharpened by His awesomeness, blessings, almightiness and grace And so shall it be till you attain 150 years! Cheers, Chairman of chairmen and Leader of leaders!

MIKE ADENUGA AND THE IJEBU SPIRIT

It was almost a missed call; or, more appropriately, an ignored call because the telephone number was unusual- an eight digit number But, something told me: pick it, and I did

“Hello, is that Mr. Lasisi Olagunju?”

“Yes, sir,” I answered, waiting for what would come next

“My name is Mike Adenuga ” It took me two, three seconds to process what I just heard: Adenuga? Of Globacom? The voice sounded real. I heard myself exclaim “Ha!” He heard me too and burst into laughter; he laughed heartily

Then, he followed up; telling me that he called to appreciate what I wrote. “I have just read your most recent article,” he said while commending the language, the

choice of words That was four years ago He was referring to my August 19, 2019 piece I entitled: “Awujale’s Ojude Oba ‘swansong ’” He, particularly, thanked me for the mention I gave him and his company in that piece. But-I told myselfwords about him and his exploits were in not more than two paragraphs, yet he was effusive in appreciation!

“Are you from Ibadan,” he asked me

“No, sir I am from Eripa ” I could guess what would follow.

“Eripa? Where is Eripa?”

“Eripa is in Osun State, sir ”

“Osun State Osun State Why are you not from Ibadan? You should have come from Ibadan ” I burst into laughter; he laughed too.

Then, he said some other great things and ended the call. The significance of that conversation was not lost on me The man who just called and spoke so affectionately with me is one of Africa’s authentic richest and best The call was a surprise king-size call; it is impossible to forget that moment

That reach-out speaks to the man’s humanity and the values undergirding his essence I noticed that the hugely successful businessman used the Yoruba honorific pronoun ‘e’ for poor me throughout that encounter It was a lesson in humility and the reason why the great is great and will remain so It was a privilege that was also a reminder that the world was reading and watching; and that the writer should be very careful about what he writes and how he writes it

provenances age quietly and get better; the tannins get dissipated; a bouquet of rich flavours seep in – exactly like extraordinary wines of 70 years, preserved and aged under ideal conditionsright temperature, stable humidity I carefully read many of the tributes, testimonies and testimonials His ways teach us that you don’t have to be in politics and public office to impact humanity in positively unforgettable ways Adenuga deserves every great thing that has been said about him He deserves more – including this postscript

We hear and read of Adenuga’s astounding life-saving interventions involving the high and the low, particularly the low I remember a case: A member of Globacom’s PR team sent me a WhatsApp message three years ago It was a

Adenuga has had very many profound engagements with the Nigerian society. In my 2019 piece on Ijebu’s Ojude Oba, I said the king’s thoughts had an intriguing confluence with Adenuga’s intervention in telecoms in Nigeria; the need to enthrone the right values in public and personal policies Nigerians of 30 years and younger might likely not know that digital mobile telephony came as expensive as wanting to be president of Nigeria Payment was as unfeeling as Multichoice’s erratic, ever-increasing DSTv subscription fees; the SIM card you get for free today was N30,000 or more Worse, it did not matter that you made a phone call for just a second – you must pay for 60 seconds. It was ‘buy a second, pay for a minute’ –which was N50 Phone users cried and wailed but the kingly ‘foreign’ operators dispensing telecom favours in 2001, 2002 insisted that per second billing was not possible Then the Ijebu man came with his Glo on 29 August, 2003 and, from that point, telecom kingmakers stopped playing god – a second’s call started attracting a second’s pay across all platforms SIM cards became affordable; Glo leveled the ground for the rich and for those on the other bank of life What heartless business said was impossible became possible; Adenuga’s entry and intervention snatched back for Nigerians their country from the jaws of invasive Shylocks in telecoms

The crocs ate their own jaws, teeth and all; they surrendered You can now see why the beneficiaries of Adenuga’s life and business choices are not only Globacom’s 55 million subscribers The entire country is his beneficiary That is why his quiet 70th birthday was made deafeningly loud by usual and unusual people The reason I am writing this, wishing him well

When you choose to speak or write, you’ve become an egg thrower; you cannot repack whatever you have unleashed. I learnt that lesson from home and had it burnished one busy evening in 1996 or thereabouts Mr Biodun Oduwole was our Editor-in-Chief He sauntered into the newsroom that evening, glanced through a story, looked up and commented: “You people should be careful in your choice of words when you write These things that we write, just one line is enough to build or destroy ”

I have, these past days, read with relish tomes of tributes from Adenuga’s fans and beneficiaries on his 70th birthday The climax came on Saturday, 29th April; it was his day and the way it was marked showed that what was celebrated was not just the billionaire or his billions More significantly celebrated was the social value of the billions the man has – the humanity behind the wealth. How does it feel to be 70 in great wealth and gracious quietude? Those who have been there will tell us We know one thing, however: Man is not born perfect; he has weaknesses but men of distinguished

video clip that had gone viral The sender accompanied it with a request: “We are looking for this woman Can you help?” The lady in the video was stark naked She was shown in her thatched hut flinging away her own scant wares. She was obviously not insane What I was seeing in that video was not madness; it was the world showing the woman how wicked it could be The strange behaviour was the victim’s reaction to the harassment she was getting from some agents of state; the wicked could be heard behind the camera issuing threats We tried and searched everywhere but couldn’t locate the woman Months later, I read in a Glo in-house magazine that the hunt had yielded results; she was discovered deep in the woods of a village on the outskirts of Badagry, Lagos State She was met broken and bruised by life. The woman’s consequent trip to Adenuga’s presence in Banana Island was a journey of total rebirth and reinvention; her story changed positively forever. There are many of such search-and-rescue stories involving the quiet man of means who clocked 70 on Saturday

How does it feel to be wealthy? A Yoruba saying says having a lot of money gives peace of mind (ìfòkànbalè); an old musician, Yusuf Olatunji, defines “having money at home” as the father of peace (baba àlàáfíà) And, so I ask: What is the purpose of wealth? Or, how does wealth advance one’s goal in life? I go to Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher, who exhaustively engaged the subjects of wealth, life and happiness What is the ultimate purpose of life, he asked? It is to be happy; and happiness is “to find joy, contentment and satisfaction in one’s pursuits and relationships ” He further described ‘happiness’ as “the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence ” He said a person is happy “who lives in accordance with complete virtue and is sufficiently equipped with external goods, not for some chance period but throughout a complete life” (Nicomachean Ethics, 1101a10) In other words, to be truly happy, you need money, you need lovers, friends; you need skill, knowledge, sound education, sound health and other “external goods” sufficient for a lifetime, enough for “a complete life” – and you deploy all these “in accordance with complete virtue” for the general good

When a man of means sets targets of goodness and meets them; when he chooses a life of ‘seclusion’ and of quiet bonding and connectedness with the high and the low; when he avoids the tempting flashlights of loud giving, he achieves for himself a definition of happiness that goes beyond the limits set by the masters of philosophy.

I read some headlines that described Adenuga as the “Spirit of Africa ” What I see is the neversay-die spirit of the Ijebu in the man Many roads lead to the Ijebu market; the successful homeboy, most times, chooses that one which is rarely taken. And it leads gracefully to the throne of grace The apple never falls far from the tree The 2019 article that attracted that telephone call from

the Globacom chairman was on Oba Sikiru Adetona’s preemptive demand on the kind of person that should be allowed to succeed him as the Awujale The oba spoke at that year ’s edition of the annual Ojude Oba festival sponsored by Adenuga’s Globacom And there, he said what no oba likes to say – words about death and succession: “When I eventually go, please, go for a capable successor Reject any candidate that will put Ijebu land into regression.

Do not politicise the process of selecting my successor Do not go for people that will draw Ijebu backwards. If the next ruling house does not present a viable candidate, please, reject him and go for the next ruling house with a capable candidate Do not go for moneybags that will destroy the achievements Ijebu land has recorded so far ” I felt (and still feel) that only an unusual king of an unusual people would so calmly breach the iron wall of fear; a sovereign talking so loudly about his own after-reign

Two things stand out in that royal statement: viability of leadership and repudiation of unethical deployment of resources If the oba had said what he said before a Nigerian general election, his dove would have been accused of chanting incantations to the hearing of our politicians’ irritable pigeons What he said is truth that gives allergies to priests and principalities of Nigeria; angels who share kola nut lobes with the devil But, the oba’s words were straightforward and his audience well-defined His Ijebu people were his audience Every Yoruba person knows something about the Ijebu’s affinity with money. They are not menial because they know money lives in elevated grounds While the Yoruba of the hinterland were beating their chest with cutlasses and hoes and saying ìgbé l’owó wà (money is in the bush/farm), the Ijebu, very early in life, rejected that business sense; they proudly told themselves that the city was their own farm Daniel R Aronson’s ‘The City is Our Farm’ (1978) is about Ijebu families and their very eloquent ways and means to fame, power and wealth People who know the Ijebu know they’ve always had money and know how to spend money

Their carriage, however, suggests that the value they place on wealth is directly proportional to how it benefits the world of the wealthy It is the functionalist route; a rejection of wealth for wealth’s sake They measure the social value of money in terms of the functions money performs That, incidentally, is the position of grand old economist, Walter Stewart (1885-1958) in his ‘Social Value and the Theory of Money’ (1917: 984) Wealth profits the wealthy only when it is virtuous in usage and makes the less fortunate happy Did you not read testimonies on this in articles, columns and advertorials, etc celebrating the essential Mike Adenuga on Saturday?

Every nation has founding ethics which define its values and shape its people’s politics and economics. The Awujale knew his people and why he believed leaders affect destinies – and that money should not be a city’s electoral college What picks leaders is in their history Tradition says the story of Ijebu and its stellar spirit started with the migration (from wherever) of an inventive people Read T O Ogunkoya’s The Early History of Ijebu

(December, 1956) It tells us how from their beginning and across centuries the Ijebu have proven to be a resiliently resourceful people with a very rich history in war, politics, trade and commerce They have always been a people of “change and continuity ” They traded with Europeans before colonialism and gained power and prestige They are a people who send power and money on errands, not the other way round They can be very tenacious in pursuing goals and unyielding to challenges Like lions, they hold their ground and defend their territories The British-Ijebu war of 1892 was essentially a war over trade and routes They lost that war, but they gained the respect of the British who saw how worthy the Ijebu were as an adversary.

We gain a better insight into what is stocked in that DNA when we read the words of a pioneer Yoruba clergyman, R A Coker of the Church Missionaries Society (C M S ) in one of the church’s ‘Annual Letters’ dated December 19, 1897: “The Jebus are an ambitious people and will not be rivalled. They are quick at acquiring the art of anything and are too impatient to go through a thing systematically For instance, they cannot see why the art of reading could not be acquired or accomplished in a week at most (as well as) master carpenting, shoemaking and tailoring One man learnt to read the Bible in a month. Very large numbers of books are sold – 600 portions of scripture Many begin to read from curiosity or in order to know what their companions may be boasting of or from some other motive” (see J D Y Peel, 1977: 130) That was over 200 years ago There is no way you read their contemporary history and look at them today without those same traits winking at you If Adenuga was denied a GSM licence in 2001, lost $20 million and he dug in and reapplied, paid $20 million again and got it in 2002, you can understand where he was coming from Excellence is never an accident; that, again, is from Aristotle The philosopher added that excellence “is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny ” Trees tower in the forest because they mastered the art of putting the wind on the leash. With their deep roots and sturdy stems, they shame storms; they habitualize excellence for the world to marvel at and applaud And, the fruit is a product of the tree and the soil that sires it Peel (1977) said Ijebus are “one of the most distinctive Yoruba-sub-groups ” The British sociologist was right In politics, commerce, religion, scholarship, entertainment and in virtually all other sectors, Ijebu’s exclusivity and distinction have not stopped to amaze the world around them That sub-group gave us Obafemi Awolowo; gave us Tai Solarin and Wole Soyinka, Prince of Isara It is a corridor with a womb for giants, producing world champions, the pride of the black race Think of boxers Anthony Joshua and Israel Adesanya, current global sensations Today’s biggest is Mike Adenuga who sits atop the throne of business-and of philanthropy

AS THE GLO KING TURNS 70

-Funke Ebgemode

He’s the son of a schoolteacher who made good He’s the billionaire recluse who prefers not to be heard or seen so he can mind his business He’s the Forbes-quoted businessman who has created more jobs and advanced careers than many ‘rich’ Nigerians

For all Nigerians, he’s Mr Glo, the Telecommunications game changer that birthed the per second billing regime For Nollywood and indeed the Nigerian entertainment industry, Dr Mike Adenuga is the man who took the product endorsement deals many notches high with his Glo Ambassadors.

For a man who did not like to be in anybody’s face, Dr Adenuga is quite the media man Hiding successfully behind his successes in many sectors

of the economy, he is a major patron of the media. The Glo adverts in print, electronic and new media have brought in billions of naira into the industry

And then one day in 2017, out of the blues, my phone rang and the voice at the other end said, ‘My name is Mike Adenuga ’ I must have blinked a dozen times as I moved the phone away from my ear, looked at it as if it could show the face of the caller He said he just called to commend me for my articles and to encourage me to continue to work hard In the few minutes we spoke, I also heard a man with a deep sense of humour as he cracked me up with Ibadan jokes Mike Adenuga Jnr, is many things to many people Maybe because he has many sides and

has touched many lives. I have heard and read many stories of how he’d turned around the lives of many I heard it gives him immense pleasure lifting others from the dung hill

My prayer for this great Nigerian is: the grace that brought him this far will not depart from his life May the Lord preserve Mike Adenuga and raise more men like him, men and women whose wealth will create more wealth and advance careers

Happy birthday to a national treasure

Egbemode was a former President, Nigerian Guilld of Editors,Managing Director/Editor-inChief of New Telegraph Newspapers and immediate past Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Osun State

ADENUGA T H E P O W E R O F S I L E N C E Louis

Odion

One of the enduring puzzles of Nigeria’s political narrative of the past seventeen years is undoubtedly the Third Term saga It is perhaps a fitting tribute to the pervasive culture of amnesia today and a shame on the nation’s indolent intelligentsia that, ten years after that attempted political heist, no documentation of note- official or independent –yet exists to preserve its grotesque memory Nor are there any signs today that a symbolic rite –like a colloquium – will hold tomorrow in its remembrance

Yet, TTA (Third Term Agenda) sign-posts a defining moment in the evolution of the current democratic experience By the depth of perfidy and breadth of chicanery, its historical parallel would only be Ibrahim Babangida’s convoluted transition programme which literally dragged the nation up-hill and down the valley for years, eventuating tragically in the June 12 annulment of 1993

Till date, without shame, Olusegun Obasanjo has continued to live in denial Even in the face of numbing proof, he insists at no time did he seek – nor was he aware of attempts – to elongate his stay in power History however mocks that big lie. For, the body interred in the shallow grave still has its bruised toes sticking out Intoxicated by a false sense of messianism, the Ota chicken farmer had sought to turn Nigeria into a banana republic and make himself

emperor for life Not content with a second term of office as elected president, he coveted more A “national conference” was hastily cobbled together For months in 2004, a motley crowd of “eminent” Nigerians cutting across all the divides camped at taxpayers’ expense in Abuja to deliberate and fashion out a new corporate charter that would hopefully plug the sundry cleavages and effectively weld all the disparate tendencies into a truly united nation

The naïve were swift in rendering a standing ovation for the “father of modern Nigeria” for finally finding what they considered an ingenuous formula to fix, once and for all, the knotty National Question for which militants of Nigeria’s progressive community had waged relentless battles for ages

But the truth soon unravelled after the panel wound up and submitted its voluminous reports to the crafty paymaster at the Villa It did not take long before the hidden agenda unfurled Legislative hirelings like Ibrahim Mantu (aka “the magician”) took over Before the nation knew what was happening, an extraneous clause seeking to remove the cap on term limit for elected public officers had found itself in the executive bill tabled before the National Assembly!

In all, the proposal contained over a hundred provisions, some of which were otherwise thoughtfully progressive But the inclusion of the

“Third Term” clause contaminated every other thing

Its promoters left nothing to chance To other sitting public office holders already growing apprehensive, a sweet bait was dangled: “It’s of general application” Meaning: “automatic ticket” for everyone To federal lawmakers expected to undertake the dirty job by simply following the cues from magician Mantu, a humongous war-chest had been provided Those who acquiesced – who were in the majority –were plied with staggering bribes ranging from N50m to N100m Thus were billions of taxpayers’ money incinerated.

For clarity, it must be stressed that TTA actually failed not because of paucity of bribe to induce anyone willing to collude It collapsed under the weight of its own treachery due more to the many acts of courage and defiance by a few patriots who overtly and covertly pooled resources -both material and intellectual – to defend the territory of democracy One of the unsung heroes of that momentous moment is Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr. This history is dredged up today partly in memory of the tenth anniversary of TTA’s demise and partly as tribute to the courage of Adenuga who, by the way, turns 63 next week In fairness, there were countless others who stood up to be counted against TTA Why Adenuga’s is significant is the character he showed at a colossal risk

As was the practice in those imperial days, the power of the presidency was invoked indiscriminately to summon people to all kinds of meetings with little or no clue given as per the agenda It was at one of such nocturnal meetings that Adenuga, fondly called the “Guru” or the “Bull” in the corporate world, reportedly ran into trouble. By then, TTA had coasted into bad weather on account of mass resistance across the land The nocturnal strategists thought it auspicious at this point to co-opt key players in

the economy

Not surprising, the evil design was elegantly disguised and introduced as “the urgent need to sustain Baba’s good economic reforms” Stripping the funny masquerade bare and describing it starkly as Obasanjo’s inordinate quest for life presidency would easily have put decent people off. So, it has to be put nicely as seeking constitutional amendments to “deepen the reforms already started”, some of which fruits were already being harvested bountifully and savoured

in earnest by all and sundry

At the said historic meeting, while the conveners, as usual, rambled on and on and the horde of sycophants present joined in parroting the need to “sustain the reforms”, Adenuga’s continued silence, as the story goes, unsettled the gathering It was too obvious that the Bull was battling hard to conceal the embarrassment of finding himself in such slimy company of political pimps and scavengers When finally he broke his silence, his words were chillingly cold He was for reforms to grow the economy, right But his candid view was that getting the constitution changed overnight to enable Baba continue in office would be a tough call His own take: are there no other options by which the reforms can be sustained?

There was a pin-drop silence after Adenuga spoke candidly

Alas!, the only exhibit the sharks had longed for had finally fallen in their laps No sooner had the company dispersed than the tale-bearers rushed to Obasanjo’s lair to brief him how, of all the rich men in town prospered by Baba’s reforms, Adenuga was the only ingrate opposed to rewarding him with an extended stay in office From that point, the Globacom boss became a marked man (Needless to say, that was the last time he was reportedly invited to the Third Term’s “strategy meeting” )

By listing Adenuga among the reforms beneficiaries, what they actually meant was the rise of Globacom To many however, it is debatable if Obasanjo can justifiably appropriate the glory only to himself, bearing in mind the full details of the story

Adenuga’s Communications Investment Limited (CIL) was earlier issued a conditional license in 1999 and frequencies to operate the Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) The license was later revoked with the loss of the $20 million deposit It was adjudged to have failed to meet the deadline for the payment of $265 million by a few hours. Sustained direct appeals to nationalist sentiments that Obasanjo should exercise presidential discretion by allowing Adenuga enter the market did not change anything

Undaunted, Adenuga soldiered on Obasanjo was out of the country on one of his many foreign tours in August 2002 when the federal executive council chaired by VP Abubakar Atiku approved the Globacom license after a bid for the Second National Operator (SNO) Luckily, unlike the 1999 bid in which CIL controversially lost not only the license but also the $20 million deposit, the SNO packed more fruits It enables Globacom to also operate a national carrier, digital mobile lines, international gateway for telecommunications in the country, and fixed wireless access phones

So, when finally the Third Term bill got shot down and buried during a televised session at the National Assembly in May 2006, it was clear a red flag had inadvertently been waved at the raging bull at the Aso Rock Villa It did not take long before Obasanjo went after the likes of Adenuga for opposing his imperial ambition Indeed, the nation would watch in horror as the full might of Federal Government was brought against the Globacom boss shortly afterwards through the EFCC as security personnel invaded his Lagos home in broad daylight in Gestapo fashion. (So, when the Pharisee of Ota whines today that Buhari’s EFCC “does not have bite”, we should understand the dark, devious context he means).

After hours of humiliating siege, they took Adenuga away Without shame still, Obasanjo, through the security agencies, later deployed magnifiers, oil-lamps and sniffer-dogs looking for what was not missing at Adenuga’s business premises But everyone knew it was all because

Guru refused to join the TTA gravy train

But ever so deluded, OBJ least anticipated the intensity of the national outrage the action triggered and the backlash from global capital You don’t maltreat someone of Adenuga’s international stature and expect the world community to keep quiet The global spotlights eventually forced OBJ to let go his captive Obviously traumatised, Adenuga soon left Nigeria on self-exile and would not set foot on Nigerian soil again until Baba was forced out on May 29, 2007

Indeed, as the Guru turns 63 next week, there cannot be a better time to salute the man with an uncommon business ethic, a corporate enigma who however fiercely shuns the kliegs light; a compulsive recluse whose near obsessive aversion to open flirtation with political authority would then appear a show of piety to the original catechism of free enterprise That the market be defined strictly by the fidelity to its rigid rules, not seeking easy riches by merchandising access to political authorities Such attributes are indeed uncommon in today’s Nigeria where the average “billionaire debtor” prefers to wallow in vanity by paying Forbes to put him on the rich list, hustling for photo ops with top politicians at public events and generally loitering around corridors of power, scavenging for duty waivers, concessions or other seedy avenues to make cheap money

As a scholar once put it, Adenuga’s business model is not about cutting corners but rolling up one’s sleeves, and getting one’s hands dirty to earn profit fairly: “Today, it’s no coincidence that whereas many others rely on special favours from government in form of duty or import waivers to keep afloat, Adenuga never asks for anything other than level playing field to compete. He believes in free trade. Again, if you check those who betrayed public trust, as in the case of the fuel subsidy scam, you don’t see Adenuga’s name or his company on such inglorious list It simply tells you the business ethic of not just a true Nigerian entrepreneur but also a patriot par excellence ”

No wonder, debutant Globacom in 2003 pioneered per second billion system in the telecoms sector, halting MTN’s cold-blooded exploitation of Nigerians for two years

True, it is impossible to survive the dog-eatdog world of big business and remain a saint Whatever may be his own shortcomings, Adenuga compensates for through a generous spirit Even more remarkable is that he, as usual, prefers to conduct his philanthropy in strict anonymity in an environment where most men and women of means would not give if no one is watching or willing to cheer Today, what is documented is the billions of Adenuga’s money that go into supporting Nigeria’s creative industry (music/movie world) and the soccer league Much more of his wealth quietly goes to countless charities both at home and abroad, giving life-lines to humanity in need Four years after his ordeal at the hands of OBJ’s goons, our paths crossed in Accra, Ghana The occasion was a global award (Black Star) ceremony put together by Ghana’s respected foundation to celebrate some illustrious Africans Naturally, our own Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, topped the honours list Awardees included South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa I was among Kongi’s guests from Nigeria, led by – who else – Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi

Inside the commodious hall that night, the air literally froze when the MC announced Adenuga’s presence He was resplendent in a snow-white Agbada and white cap to match Thereafter, his corner became the cynosure of eyes In Ghana, he is revered as the great son of

Africa who owns a world-class telecoms company Characteristically, he had literally sneaked in through the VIP door unannounced Not for him the usual disruptive antic of the Nigerian Big Man arriving late and moving around when the ceremony is already underway, hugging and bumping fists Incidentally, tonight, the Guru chose the seat next to me in the VIP section Ever genial but nonetheless graceful, he threw the first salvo

“Oh! Louis, you’re here,” he teased “Well since you started winning awards all over the place as Writer of the Year you’ve abandoned your old friends ”

“Ah! Otunba!!,” I fired back, hand raised to the head mock salute “How can your little boy abandon you That’s attack as the best defence That’s not true It is you that’s inaccessible In fact, it’s easier to see the president of Nigeria than to see you sir ”

He laughed heartily As the ceremony progressed, our discussion naturally drifted to happenings in Nigeria. But what I consider most memorable was his reading of the significance of the award ceremony: “I think we need more of fora like this to build bridges of unity across Africa We need to celebrate our own heroes and heroines to inspire the young ones We need to stop the pull-him-down syndrome which is why Africa is yet to tap its full potentials to achieve greatness By joining hands, Africa can move mountains ”

This perhaps explains why Adenuga yearly commit tens of millions of dollars to promoting soccer on the African continent Weighed down by the colonial legacy in the form of language barriers, football provides a tool to reunite the people of Africa.

Six years earlier (2004), his look-alike son,

Paddy, had opened a rare aperture on the domestic Adenuga, the enigmatic dad The occasion was a dinner to mark his being named the “Sun 2003 Man of The Year” Then, I was Sunday Sun editor On the sidelines of the cocktail, Paddy and I got talking Though born with the proverbial silver spoon, he hinted of a “tough training” and being made to appreciate early that things have to be earned and not taken for granted

“You know dad’s standards are quite high,” he opened up “It’s hell living up to the high standards he set for us He’s a great dad who teaches us the dignity in hard work because he worked himself real hard to get to where he’s today ”

He obviously was referring to his dad’s humble beginnings in the United States in the 1970s when he juggled menial jobs of cabdriving and being a security guard to support himself while studying business administration at the North-Western University in Oklahoma and Pace University, New York

Decades later, Paddy himself would enroll in a military school in the United States where he received “hard training”, not the luxury college of privilege where rich brats are pampered and spoilt. The idea was to inculcate the right values in him and his siblings, toughen them in order to compete well in the world out there and, above all, make them appreciate the true worth of things

So, will Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), now take a bow

Louis Odion is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors

MIKE ADENUGA AT 70

-Festus Adebayo

My first encounter with Dr Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Globacom, was in Awujale: The Autobiography of Oba S K Adetona Ogbagba II While relishing the profound narrative of how the young Sikiru weathered the storms of his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, one narration caught my attention It was how then President Olusegun Obasanjo attempted to run this unexampled entrepreneur out of town Obasanjo’s target was probably to make him a fugitive out of Nigeria. Awujale’s bravery and commitment to Adenuga, at the risk of Obasanjo’s renowned petulance,

struck me as the stuff of heroes

That book deconstructed Obasanjo as a man driven by petty jealousy and unbridled vengeance When, a few years after, military general, Ibrahim Babangida, placed a spread advertorial in some national dailies on the occasion of Adenuga’s birthday, thanking the man known as the Bull for his Omoluwabi (innate humanism), especially his enduring pain and privation in the hands of “those who wanted him to implicate me” – my paraphrase-the whole picture of vengeful rough tackles of Obasanjo struck a chord

Since then, I have taken interest in Adenuga

His magnificent sense of industry is a daily projection in the media and need not detain us here It embodies how he runs the awesome machine of his global business empire Adenuga’s art and philanthropy arrest my imagination the most I have heard the nearmythic story of how he, some years ago, transformed the life of a top-notch Yoruba musical icon He has since, on a yearly basis, been deepening this uncommon human empathy, so much that, for this iconic musical star, Adenuga is God on earth

It will seem that Adenuga’s turf and forte are returning life to those at the edge of their tethers Footballer Peter Fregene recently felt the huge palm of his mystique So have so many others I am told as well that most of Nigeria’s young musicians whose stars shine on the global musical firmament today got the initial prod into stardom through the empowerment startups that Adenuga’s Globacom offers them. It will seem as well that Adenuga is first and foremost an art enthusiast This is manifest in the way his network brand prioritizes thespians and musicians as props of its brand advertisement

Many unsung people have taken awesome bites of Adenuga’s unending crave to leave imprints in the lives of people In doing this, his unique traits of abhorrence of the klieg, in spite of his stupendous wealth, have not ceased to marvel those who study his persona Many shrimps inside the ocean of wealth, who do not have a tenth of his Godgiven worldly acquisition, strut the rivers like sharks Adenuga is not only quiet and unassuming, he personifies that biblical injunction of keeping off the left what the right hand gives under wraps He seems to be one man who sees giving from his humongous wealth as the major assignment providence entrusted into his hands

Close to four years ago, a strange call sieved into my phone From it whooshed out a very musical voice which greeted me as if we were once adolescent buddies. Humble to a fault and prefixing my name at every point with “Dr” and the Yoruba tonal respect for someone older than one, when the voice identified itself as Mike Adenuga Jr., it took divine intervention for me not to suffer asphyxiation Adenuga must have got his kicks from my shocking shout of disbelief He was a regular reader of my column and my fan –can you beat that humility! – he said, and had just read my piece that referenced a strange ancient bird Yoruba call Akalamagbo

Wealth is nothing if it does not have the Jeremy Bentham utilitarian touch Two sovereigns, in the submission of this British philosopher, govern humanity-pain and pleasure Mike Adenuga’s drive, from all I have heard about him, will seem to be a desire for decrease of pain and increase of a pleasurable life for humanity His establishment of Globacom and introduction of the per-second billing, at a time when his foreign competitors were literally draining verve off Nigerian phone users, as well as his interventions in the lives of innumerable people in Nigeria, signpost his belief in the utilitarian functionality of wealth As he marks his 70th birthday this Saturday, April 29, this is a felicitation of a worthy Nigerian patriot and iconic entrepreneur

THE MONOLITHIC SPIRIT -Olawale

Tributes are best sculpted and command better meanings, when there’s a relationship between the subject and the writer The insider knowledge of what constitutes the meat of the article becomes personal and scarcely what you knew

A cocktail of timeless interactions, dwelling on the good, the bad, and the ugly, which, if knocked down to shape, leaves your readers stupefied, effortlessly You might have just shared new knowledge of an individual they would have thought they knew I have no such relationship with Dr Mike Adenuga, a man many of his admirers call SPIRIT and several others nicknamed the bull

Olaleye

Methinks he is spirit because you neither see nor hear from him Yet, he makes things happen However, with his monolithic domination of his enviable world, nothing better explains the moniker: bull. Dr. Adenuga has somewhat lived a near pre-natural lifestyle, consciously typifying class and niche-carving. He also seems to several others, a mythical creature

You cannot but imagine his enthralling presence, seldom witnessed only by a privileged few, many of whom daily attest to his lifechanging generosity That, again, for him, is a lifestyle Little wonder, Lanre Alfred, recently called him “The Enabler”

But, this is it: either in controversy or

admiration, his invincibility remains his greatest strength and weapon, deployed strategically at all times and with precision for results

Nothing, yet, stands him out better than his pan-Nigerianism He loves Nigeria and has made this a clear message with his many investments sprawling everywhere

Believing in Nigeria and never loving it less despite its unceasing challenges is undeniably a mark of patriotism

This is why, relationship notwithstanding, Dr Adenuga deserves not just a good mention on his 70th birthday, but a lavish celebration

Many happy returns, sir!

ADENUGA AT 70: THE MAN WHO CAN GIVE THE MOON

-Magnus Onyibe

In the past one year or thereabouts, l have been trying to recover from the shock of the jaw dropping gift that l had received from Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, who is one of Africa’s foremost entrepreneurs and one of Nigeria’s most illustrious sons, that for lack of a better nomenclature, l would like to also refer to as the ‘Philanthropist -General’ of our time

As he clocked seventy (70) years on Saturday, 29 April,2023, ceaseless tributes to the man of the people and of all times, have been flowing in torrents from all over the world and from all strata of society

They include those from very consequential leaders of strategic countries of the world, ranging from the president of our country, Nigeria ,as well as current and past presidents of neighboring countries such as, republic of Ghana and Benin to the current prime minister of the second richest country in Europe, France as well as numerous employees of his business conglomerate spread across the African continent and beyond.

It is remarkable that all the soul stirring tributes extolling the enthralling virtues of the most effable and humane man that l have ever come across are from both the high and mighty as well as the plebeians in Nigeria, African society and the world at large

Let us also keep in mind that there are legions of indigent folks who are not privileged to have access to mass media platforms to share their own stories that would melt the heart of even Lucifer himself, about how Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr ’s uncommon philanthropic gestures have redefined their lives

That indicates that the GLOBACOM founder and chairman for whom the entire world is clinking glasses in celebration of his moving to the seventh (7th) floor of life (70th birthday),has a knack for touching lives from the top of the echelons of society to the bottom of the rung

So, in light of the above reality, it would be unwise or remiss of me to go on a rehash of the Globacom founders tough, instructive and inspiring journey to wealth which has been the subject of a handful of case studies in entrepreneurship conducted in a variety of institutions of higher learning across the world

All that need to be said about how Chief Adenuga Jnr did not ‘bury his talent’ a metaphor lifted from the holy Bible that Mr Segun Adeniyi, THISDAY newspaper Editorial Board

chairman leveraged to illustrate the entrepreneurial prowess of the man that many refer to as the ‘Spirit of Africa’, did justice to the tycoon’s accomplishments as a quintessential business and jobs creator

For those who may not be familiar with the bible narrative about the Talent, it is about how a wealthy man that gave his servants Talents (funds) when he was going on a long journey. While some of the servants invested their Talents and earned profit which they handed to their master upon his return, a particular one buried the talent allocated to him instead of generating more income with it Disappointed in the servant that buried the Talent entrusted in his care, in anger the master took the Talent off him and gave it to the servants that multiplied their Talents through enterprise

Clearly, the analogy above is very apt because Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr has not only by dint of hard work multiplied the Talents allocated to him, a feat which has already been put on display in the effusive outpouring of encomiums on the man

that personifies the concept of honest hard work and reward; he has also been a very generous giver to his compatriots in all spheres of life and all strata of society

Perhaps, his attitude of being a very cheerful giver is in fulfillment of the doctrine or mythology in Christendom that wealthy people are custodians of God given wealth which they are supposed to use to lift the less privileged. How many affluent people in the world have such a noble mindset?

In my reckoning, Chief Mike Adenuga is the type of man, who if he had the moon, can give it out in philanthropy to any man/woman who needs and deserves it, irrespective of tribe, tongue or creed

Hence in my tribute to the shy and at the same time bold like a bull wealth creator, who prefers not to be talked about-Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, l am concentrating on his somewhat understated acts of kindness and generosity to society as a whole and to individuals- both the affluent and indigent-in measures that appear to dwarf his

financial wealth, even though he is stupendously rich

Ordinarily, what the wealthy are used to, or are required to give out in philanthropy is a fraction of their riches But the myriads of testimonies about his large heartedness, the quantum of what Chief Adenuga gives and the burgeoning number of his benefactors appear to be so gargantuan, that it is difficult for some close followers of his philanthropic gestures not to assume that he gives his all One unique thing about his giving is that it is not just to his family members or people with similar business interests who have potential values that he would harness in the future But, as l found out, his humanitarianism is multifaceted and multidimensional because his mission/goal is to affect humanity positively without frills

That reality is underscored by the fact that if life serves a compatriot or even a fellow human being lemon, and Chief Adenuga is in a position to help, he would facilitate the process of the victim turning the lemon into lemonade And there are multiplicity of instances that he played such roles especially in the lives of our compatriots in the sports and creative as well as performing arts worlds which are too numerous to be listed in this piece

As my good friend Bashorun Dele Momodu, THISDAY newspaper columnist and Ovation magazine publisher noted in his tribute to the business colossus and humble owner of GLO telecommunications and Conoil Producing, who also has significant stakes in major banking, real estate and construction concerns, Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, in just a space of one year; he was gifted two premium cars – Audi A8L and Range Rover worth eighty-five (N85m) million naira amongst other goodies Who does that for someone who is not his father or mother, siblings or business facilitators/collaborators?

But as Mr Momodu pointed out in his well crafted exposé ,the generous gifts to him were sudden and surprising from the man whose birthday has got very significant tongues waxing lyrical in attestation to his Midas touch in business and also his being imbued with the spirit of kindness to give freely to fellow humans without strings attached

Although, l am convinced that the man known as The Bull by his friends and associates would be uncomfortable with the disclosure that l am about to make, because he is an ‘apostle’ of one hand giving without the other knowing; but l can not resist sharing with his millions of well wishers across the world, that l have also been a ‘victim’ of his out of this world ‘drop dead’ gifting Imagine receiving a bank cheque with not just single, but multi digits figures on it amounting to a huge sum of money that would keep the mouth of many readers agape with incredulity!

Add the fact that it was unsolicited, but an instinctive decision of my benefactor who has become legendary in his love for being his brother ’s keeper, as his favor literally came out of the blues, then you can begin to have an idea of the reason that l confessed in the opening paragraph of this essay that l am still trying to recover from the positive effect of the pleasant surprise

And I was stunned by his fabulous gift because l am not a product of his loins, neither a sibling, nor a business associate or even an employee of the man that without equivocation, l would like to refer to as the most illustrious son and selfless giver that has ever come out of ijebuland, Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world

So, what manner of man is Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr, the consummate business Titan who can gift a man something as priceless as the moon?

That is the optics with which most people that he has touched their lives through fabulous gifts, view the favors that he has doled out to them

In my modest understanding of life, only God gives freely without strings attached

The assertion above is underscored by the fact that it is only God that freely gives every living being, particularly humans air-the most critical element for the sustenance of life It is also only

God that makes the sun to shine upon and rain fall freely on Mother Earth to sustain those who believe in Him and those that do not, without discrimination Indeed, it is a rare and unique display of humanity that Chief Mike Adenuga embodies such qualities associated with only human beings blessed with higher minds and not mere mortals

Strikingly, such godly values of freely giving and intentionally hiding his large heartedness from public glare is in adherence and consonance to God’s injunction in the holy Bible in Mathew 6:3: “But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy

It is unsurprising that some benefactors have justifiably gushed about Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr ’s fantastic acts of kindness and have therefore conceptualized him in the image of Angel Gabriel Well, it is worth pointing out that angels often announce the gifts being conveyed from God to their benefactors, except on few occasions when there was a caveat for silence

Take for instance, the immaculate conception of Mary mother of Jesus Christ and wife of Joseph the carpenter whose tongues were tied until Jesus was birthed

But given that Chief Adenuga detests publicizing what l would like to characterize as his ‘do goodness’ through his intentional efforts at keeping his wondrous generosities outside the klieg lights, it may seem uncharitable that l am breaking the code of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, while engaging in charity as enunciated in the holy Bible

While not being unmindful that l am in contravention of the philanthropist’s core value, ethos and guiding principle of giving in secrecy, l have taken solace in the fact that even when Jesus Christ, the son of God had instructed the ten (10) lepers that He had pronounced healing upon to go and show themselves to the priests, it was disappointing that only one returned to show gratitude to Jesus Christ, as narrated in the Bible book of Luke 17:11-19.

That is why l have elected to acknowledge and celebrate the cheerful giver, Chief Mike Adenuga’s largesse to me, so that l would not be like the nine (9) lepers that failed to go back to their healer to show gratitude So, while recognizing that l risk making the extremely shy, humble and enigmatic birthday celebrant a bit uncomfortable, l apologize for the indiscretion unreservedly

At the same time, l have rationalized my action by terming it ‘good offense’ in the manner that the American civil rights activist and member of House of Representatives, John Lewis of blessed memory, dignified dissent as ‘good trouble’ back in the days of the struggle for black voting rights activism in the United States of America, USA

In my reckoning, it is better l ‘offend’ a bit the extraordinarily benevolent giver in the mold of Santa Claus (Father Christmas) and mother Theresa combined, than act like the nine (9) healed lepers that failed to return to Jesus Christ to show gratitude, earlier referenced

Although, my action of spreading the unique and awe inspiring favors dolled out to a myriad of folks is in contravention of the rule of the man with the heart of God-as Chief Mike Adenuga may be equated to modern day David, whom God referred to as the man after His heart, according to the Bible narrative in Acts 13:22 But the philanthropist extraordinaire prefers to stick to the original injunction of God: give in complete secrecy

As things currently stand, it appears as if Chief Adenuga Jnr has no choice but to forgive his legion of friends and associates that have exposed his well guarded secret of doing good and keeping it under the radar Put succinctly, one is encouraged by the fact that a deluge of beneficiaries comprising of thankful men/women of influence and indigent Nigerians alike, have

also erred by breaking the humble and cheerful giver ’s ‘code’ of being his brothers keeper without ado

Certainly, since as the saying goes: a gold fish has no hiding place, the culture of spreading the milk of kindness that Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr has obviously democratized by extending his compassion to both the needy and not so needy, no matter their tongue, tribe or creed, was bound to become an open secret, sooner or latter

It is against the backdrop of the human milk of kindness that has percolated from the top to the bottom of Nigerian society and indeed in Africa through sheer acts of charity via support for stakeholders in the sports, arts and culture space that the 70th birthday of the man that most of his admirers fondly refer to as Chairman- derived from the fact that he has founded and currently chairman of multiple firms that have attained the status of unicorns-has unsurprisingly triggered

Chief Mike Adenuga’s birthday has triggered so much emotions from Nigerians from all works of life with such great aplomb to the extent that folks hitherto known to be taciturn have voluntarily chosen to become voluble in sharing life changing experiences that the man of the moment and altruist has inspired or positively wrought on their lives

At this juncture, l would like to crave the indulgence of readers to allow me share how I was first introduced to the man whose 70th birthday has got millions of tongues wagging -no porn intended

I first met Chief Adenuga in 2003, two (2) decades ago when he was in the process of launching his game changing and wave making telecommunications firm, GLOBACOM The meeting was facilitated by Hon. Nduka Irabor, journalist par excellence and ex member of National Assembly, NASS that represented lka federal constituency of Delta state

At that time, l was a manager in charge of corporate communications in the defunct Continental Trust Bank, CTB owned and

managed by my friends and brothers, Mr Ike Nwabuoku and Mr Tony Elumelu amongst many other investors

I was interviewed for a job to head the corporate/ public communications department of the first indigenous GSM telephony firm founded and managed by my benefactor Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr which has now become the wave making GLO network that is the number two (2) network in Nigeria in terms of subscription.

Despite being offered the job after the interview ,l opted to remain in CTB with my friends at a time that the bank was floundering under the yoke of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN sanction for foreign exchange, FX infractions

Being a loyalist and a man that can not jump from one ship to another in times of trouble, I tarried with the hope that the dire situation would be sorted out and the bank would be salvaged

But the ailing bank was not rescued Instead, it got gobbled up by a rejuvenated Standard Trust Bank, STB that was being driven by Mr Elumelu who had exited CTB/MBCOM arrangement by deciding to tread a new path that culminated in his ultimate acquisition and turnaround of then ailing, United Bank for Africa, UBA which is currently amongst the five (5) top tier banks in Nigeria and changing the financial landscape of Africa

As the saying goes, the rest is history because l had to quit the job at CTB and after a short intervening period during which l was an entrepreneur having secured the franchise to be the exclusive partner with JVC electronics company of Japan for the importation and distribution of their products in Nigeria

Thereafter, l was lured back into banking by another friend, Mr Fidelis Tilije (currently commissioner for finance in delta state government) who was managing another up and coming, Fortune bank which is also currently defunct

But my sojourn in Fortune Bank was only for a short period before l was finally headhunted by my friend, brother and mentor in politics, Chief James lbori, then governor of Delta state who

invited me to join his cabinet in his second term of office in 2003

The next time l was lucky to encounter Chief Adenuga Jnr who has become a fairy godparent, also fondly referred to as the GURU was with my new boss and brother ,Chief Ibori , then governor of delta state , at Heathrow airport, London, United Kingdom, UK

It is Chief lbori that helped deepen my closeness to the man whose businesses have empowered millions of humans not only in Nigeria, but across the African continent via provision of employment to many and as source of business to suppliers of sundry goods and services to the numerous firms in his conglomerate

And the business czar Chief Adenuga, who has the memory of an elephant that never forgets,(he remembers everything) which is why he has committed in his memory all those who have facilitated the favors that he has received in the course of managing his very private life that has seen him conceiving, birthing and nurturing his plethora of humanity touching and life changing business concerns that span the subregion of the African continent Despite my not working for him in his then emerging telecommunications firm, Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr ’s GLO that has become a sort of telecommunications behemoth dominating African landscape with a strategic submarine cable, GLO 1 that renders services to other telecommunications services providers; l have been adopted as an ‘Aburo’ translated as younger brother in Yoruba parlance

It is a measure of the depth of the goodness of his heart that as he clocks the platinum age of 70 that the Good Samaritan is being saluted by a broad spectrum of Nigerians and indeed humanity, because his influence is not just local to Nigeria, not even only pan African, but it extends to Europe, the Americas, and also Asia, perhaps less so

Over the past few years, l have had the privilege of being a guest in the numerous dinner parties that he has hosted in his palatial home: Bellisimo On The Waterfront in Banana Island, Lagos to welcome or send-forth a plethora of diplomats from all parts of the world to Nigeria

And by being in the company of Chairman Adenuga, l have had the privilege of my palates being treated to sumptuous seven (7) course meals and my taste buds have also been savoring fine liquors that can be as rare as forty (40) years old single malt whisky that costs as much as four (£4,000) thousand Uk pounds per bottle

That is not all, as I have also been opportune to sit at tables where the man with uncommon knowledge about our country’s evolution from cradle to the present socioeconomic and political situation,(yet remains very apolitical)has shared his fascinating and inspiring experiences in the course of his evolution from a young and restless

undergraduate student in the United States of America, USA working hard to eek out a living by combining academics with being an entrepreneur at the same time

Apparently, these are traits he inherited from his parents-father who was a school teacher and mum that was a trader By and large, it can be surmised that it is from his parents that he inherited the talents that have propelled him into becoming an institutional colossus that he is today

Did l mention that his palatial abode in Banana Island, Lagos that occupies an entire close which is a very expansive strip of water front property named: Bellisimo At The Waterfront is apart from having residences and offices ensconced in the private enclave is complete with a magnificent chapel and a huge banquet hall?

Amongst other accoutrements, the banquet hall features a stage for live shows and it is certainly the most exotic and the smartest purpose built banquet hall in a private home that l have seen in Nigeria In my reckoning, it is only the ball room in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, US resort/home of the 45th president of the USA, Mr Donald J Trump that surpasses the size and decor in Bellisimo At The Waterfront, Chief Adenuga’s manor What else can one say about the man who has internalized God’s injunction: ‘whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers, that you do unto me’ (Mathew 25:40) than to give him a shout out on this auspicious occasion of his platinum birthday

Happy birthday to the Yoruba man also known by some of his friends who are lgbos as ‘Nnam Ukwu’ translated as my big boss in lgbo dialect In Nigeria of today where ethnicity is occupying left and center as it has become a polarizing factor being weaponized by nefarious political actors, it speaks volumes about how detribalized Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr is.

Chairman, please accept my Seventy (70) gun salutes in commemoration of this epochal occasion of your very significant birthday The Bible tells us that God allocated three scores and ten (70) to us as humans on Mother Earth and by His grace you have attained and surpassed that age My prayers is: may it please the almighty God to grant us the favor of being around to give you one hundred (100) gun salutes to mark your 100th birthday in thirty (30) years time before our time on earth is done

Chief Mike Adenuga’s largesse to me, so that l would not be like the nine (9) lepers that failed to go back to their healer to show gratitude.

So, while recognizing that l risk making the extremely shy, humble and enigmatic birthday celebrant a bit uncomfortable

ADENUGA : CHAIRMA , GURU AND SPIRIT OF AFRICA

-Ehi Braimah

What sort of man is Mike Adenuga Jr (MAJr)? Does it sound like a milliondollar question? Don’t worry, let’s get down to it In answering the question, a biographical account would be appropriate. Indeed, some great story tellers have produced inspiring pen portraits on him In 2011, Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe wrote a book on Adenuga who was born 70 years ago on 29 April, 1953

For a man who is very private and publicityshy, there’s little he can do in the age of digital technology because information on his family, wealth and fame are available with just a touch of the digital button A simple Google search will reveal that MAJr is Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr (CSG, GCON), a Nigerian billionaire businessman and the sixth richest person in Africa He is also a husband and father

No matter how much he tries to hide himself, MAJr knows he is a gold fish and he loves everything golden He has the Midas touch, and his entire life’s history and success story are matters of public scrutiny. Today, he stands tall at 70 years and he must be feeling truly fulfilled and thankful to God because of his long list of accomplishments

MAJr is an exceptional human being and he means different things to different people He

hardly socialises but he loves the good life However, he believes in the humanity that thrives, which explains why the story is often told of his immense generosity Givers never lack and the hand of the giver is always on top, according to the popular clichés

Sometimes, you can become rich when you are fortunate to be blessed with a family inheritance or when you win a lottery In MAJr ’s case, he did not win any lottery; he built his wealth from the ground floor up through hardwork Rich and successful people will remind you that when preparation meets luck and opportunity, you can be sure of making your way to the top.

Long before MAJr made his fortune in telecoms and oil (he was the first Nigerian to strike oil in commercial quantities), he was already into real estate and merchandising (the import and export business) and he had warehouses all over Nigeria He would forever be grateful and loyal to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), his close confidant, mentor and benefactor For some strange reasons, Mike Adenuga was caught in a needless political crossfire between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and IBB What Obasanjo did was to test Mike Adenuga’s loyalty to IBB and he passed the test graciously

Sometimes, you can become rich when you are

fortunate to be blessed with a family inheritance or when you win a lottery In MAJr ’s case, he did not win any lottery; he built his wealth from the ground floor up through hardwork Rich and successful people will remind you that when preparation meets luck and opportunity, you can be sure of making your way to the top

Long before MAJr made his fortune in telecoms and oil (he was the first Nigerian to strike oil in commercial quantities), he was already into real estate and merchandising (the import and export business) and he had warehouses all over Nigeria He would forever be grateful and loyal to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), his close confidant, mentor and benefactor

For some strange reasons, Mike Adenuga was caught in a needless political crossfire between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and IBB What Obasanjo did was to test Mike Adenuga’s loyalty to IBB and he passed the test graciously

IBB did not mince words in the message because he felt grateful to MAJr, his loyal friend of so many seasons Obasanjo actually wanted to use MAJr to frame IBB for “economic crimes” that did not exist and on that occasion, Baba Iyabo failed spectacularly On the instruction of Nuhu Ribadu, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and at Obasanjo’s behest, the

home and offices of the Globacom chairman were invaded; they searched in vain for documents linking IBB as the “owner” of Globacom MAJr was in Paris at the time and returned to Nigeria only when it was safe to do so For those who know IBB, he is very loyal to his friends and he has so many of them – within and outside the military circle

About 17 years ago, our company was invited to make a presentation on Glo Football Academy I recall that Segun Odegbami, the popular Nigerian footballer and writer, and Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, former sports presenter at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), were in the presentation room at the Victoria Island head office of Glo Odegbami and Sarafa-Yusuf worked for Globacom at the time

Who else was there? It was Mike Adenuga, the chairman himself; he sat and listened to the entire presentation, which he described as “good music to his ears ” It was the first time I was meeting the chairman of Glo but remarkably, he mentioned my name in full before introductions were made I was surprised because we had never met face-toface before that day

Building a formidable network that comes with goodwill is another reason most people succeed in life If there’s one man who I know is close to Mike Adenuga, he is Otunba Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation magazine, who is also my friend and brother

Many years ago, Momodu gave me a note addressed to MAJr ’s secretary They had spoken and he wanted me to meet her so that she could link me up to work in the communications departments of Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) and Devcom Merchant Bank.

Mike Adenuga was the owner of both banks and he was in his 30s when he floated them In 2006, ETB successfully merged with Devcom Bank, while on 11 August, 2011, ETB merged with Sterling Bank It meant I would have met

Adenuga to discuss my possible employment. I knew a long time ago that letters cannot be hand-delivered at any of his offices; no staff will sign for them

Nine times out of ten (some would say 10 out of 10), MAJr sits at the interview sessions of mostly senior and junior management staff It shows the extent of his m i c r o - m a n a g e m e n t ability, which some people regard as a weakness but he does not care His micromanagement trait comes from not being able to sufficiently trust people around him

MAJr puts his money where his mouth is Once he gives you an assignment, according to insiders, he will be on your case 24/7 to deliver and failure is definitely not an option Some former employees confessed to resigning because the “pressure from chairman to perform was always too much.”

These are pressures that may affect your health but it does not mean MAJr is heartless He works round the clock himself; he leads by example and he is not called “The Guru” for nothing He praises his own his brilliance, which is evident in his business decisions and like a good chess player, he calculates his moves very well

Mike Adenuga is a risk taker and he is blessed with the ability to craft a vision and get the brightest people in the world to buy into that vision. He also has the skills and networks to mobilise resources to back the vision and make it work

The billionaire entrepreneur and second richest man in Nigeria, after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, reads voraciously Apart from being a marketing strategist, he is also a researcher and he equips himself with relevant information and knowledge on his businesses and projects all the time

When Adenuga launched Glo, he positioned it as the authentic Nigerian telecoms brand Clearly, he had the financial ability to make Glo successful and he will, as usual, fly over every obstacle, no matter what it takes.

The Glo per second billing was his launch strategy On top of that, he was able to convince three eminent Nigerians representing the three major nationalities – Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Alhaji Maitama Sule-to serve as the faces of the Glo brand It was not easy convincing the pioneer “Glo Brand Ambassadors” but you can ask The Guru how he pulled it off That was truly a masterstroke by a genius

If MAJr has to wake you up in the middle of the night to attend a business meeting outside Nigeria, be ready to head to the airport and jump into the plane He will tell you that’s what you signed for; you cannot complain

Our birthday celebrant, “Baba 70”, has a sharp memory and he relies heavily on his instincts People like him do not forget things easily It is difficult to reach him as would be expected of rich people; they ring-fence themselves with numerous aides but Adenuga would see you when he wants

to He would simply send for you, or he could even surprise you with a phone call.

MAJr is loyal to his friends, just like his mentor, IBB, and he does not forget them Constant feedback is important to Mike Adenuga. If he turns his back on you, it means something terrible – perhaps unforgiveable – has happened He dislikes people who take his goodwill and generosity for granted; he will rebuke his own children for a similar transgression

When you are self-driven and result-oriented, Adenuga will be fond of you and it will be obvious to everyone in the organisation You will receive gifts that may include a brand new car, cash or even a house His mood is also important when he makes those decisions. He is often accused of having an “extreme and dual nature” and “love-hate relationships ” It is another way of saying that he can be ruthless or that you cannot place him Those expressions also mean he uses and dump his friends and employees. I cannot prove these allegations but one thing I know for sure is that MAJr can keep you waiting for long hours before you can see him – even for a confirmed appointment Sometimes, you could wait for the whole day and maybe into the night This behaviour is described by some people as “weird, wicked and mysterious ” But remember that he is a “lion” and you cannot dare him in his den

There are also allegations that Adenuga armtwists his suppliers to their disadvantage and would go as far as re-negotiating contracts already signed or even refusing to honour such agreements outright The suppliers hardly complain because of reprisal attacks due to Adenuga’s brand power, influence and connections.

When dealing with Baba 70, you have to be extremely patient What more can I say? Mike Adenuga is also human after all; he has his own fair share of mistakes With his investment in some sectors of the economy, you can be sure that the Spirit of Africa is not about to retire any time soon as he clocks 70 years.

He has supported sports-especially footballand entertainment events around Africa Most Nigerian musicians who are now highly sought after and Nollywood celebrities will always remember his Glo endorsements that gave them fame and fortune

CNN’s long-running series, African Voices Change Makers, is sponsored by Glo in a longterm partnership He had also provided sponsorship support for Nigerian football and the national teams, as well as CAF Awards –recognising football stars and administrators on the African stage

There was a time a rival telecoms company was ready to go into a lucrative sponsorship deal with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) but the deal was turned down because of MAJr I knew at the time that NFF officials wanted the deal badly but their hands were tied

Now, here’s my Billionaire Challenge Nigeria (BCN) to him: come up with a solution model to fix at least one basic social or economic problem in his home state The concept of BCN is that every state has at least one successful billionaire who should be able to “pull resources together” and drive the initiative of solving its basic social and economic problems

One more thing, Mike Adenuga should consider writing his memoirs as soon as possible. His success secrets will inspire millions of African youth and they will be glad to drink from his fountain of wisdom and learn from a genius and great mind like him

Here’s wishing Mike Adenuga Jr more grace and impactful accomplishments in the years ahead Happy birthday sir!

UNCLE NIYI, THE MODEST BILLIONAIRE

Kemi Ashefon

We call him Uncle Niyi Many others call him the Bull or the Guru A large proportion of Nigerians call him the Chairman or the Globacom boss. But he is officially addressed as Mike Adenuga Jr

It could be very difficult for anyone blessed with such wealth to embrace humility Not every wealthy man prostrates in the ‘Yoruba’ way like Uncle Niyi.

I became starstruck when I met him in Ibadan, at his late parents’ house His niece, Yewande Akande, who became my close friend while we were undergraduates at the University of Ibadan, had asked me to escort her to her grandmother ’s house in Challenge area in Ibadan Her grandmother, the late Chief (Mrs ) Oyindamola Adenuga, turned out to be Uncle Niyi’s mother

Excitedly, I agreed because that visit simply meant that I’d return to the campus with lots of

peppered guinea fowl, chin-chin, fried fish and chocolates Yewande’s mother, the late Otunba Shade Adenuga and her mum (Mama Oyin Adenuga) were connoisseurs of exotic chocolates and candies Whenever they returned from their trips to the United Kingdom, where they went for medical check-ups, you would definitely take lots of candies home

As we sauntered into the beautiful home of the Adenugas in Ibadan, we were welcomed by Mama (as she was fondly called by her grandchildren) and she immediately told us to get whatever we wanted from the kitchen # course, Yewande and I were ready to pack as much as we wanted for the whole semester from Mama’s fully-stocked kitchen, her store and the massive freezers We were excitedly carrying out our plans when we heard one of Yewande’s cousin, Omodola, announcing that “Uncle Niyi was

around ”

Uncle Niyi? Then, I knew it was an opportunity to see one of Nigeria’s Richest Men Back then, mobile phone has not come into existence, let alone, Globacom Plc My friend told me Uncle Niyi founded Equitorial Trust Bank, ETB and Conoil Plc, where Yewande’s older brothers were then working

Uncle Niyi kicked off the culture of buying his nieces and nephews brand new cars immediately after their graduations and before joining the labour market

My friend looked forward to when she would also drive her brand new car after our graduation from U I, and she kept telling me about her uncle and his immense generosity So, you can imagine my excitement at Omodola’s announcement I had heard beautiful things about him and God knew I wanted to meet Uncle Niyi

We left what we were doing in the kitchen and rushed to the living room to see the August visitor

“Ekasan ma,” he said greeting his mum, while prostrating on the floor But the ageing mum lifted him up with her embrace. Then, some other persons, probably close family members entered and Uncle Mike prostrated to greet them too

Before he left that day, everyone in the house wore smiles as a result of the huge amount of money shared among all That’s quintessential Uncle Niyi-he wants everyone to smile My friend, Yewande would always gist you about her stupendously wealthy uncle and his love for his siblings, especially Otunba Folashade Akande, whom he fondly addressed as Aunty Shade

Again, our paths crossed during one of ‘Aunty Shade’s birthday parties. Uncle Niyi would quickly appear at any major family soirées and in a matter of minutes, he would be out He hardly sat for any ‘owambe shindigs’

But he always broke the rule for his sister He would attend her birthday party (even though I never saw him eat) and he always left her surprised Her 60th birthday party left everyone in awe of the kind of ‘exotic’ car he bought for her as a present. As a matter of fact, she had a challenge, cruising the car from her Ikoyi home to her shop in Ketu! If she felt free driving in Ikoyi, all the area boys in Ikosi Ketu, where her business was headquartered, had fun ‘obtaining’ cash from her, for driving such a vehicle Aunty Shade was also a generous person like her younger brother She would always say, ‘Niyi kin fun eniyan ni ikan kekere ’ Translated, she said, ‘Niyi doesn’t give you anything small, his gifts are always huge ’

Should we opine that Uncle Niyi is a ‘small boy with a big God?’ His siblings, extended family members, friends and associates all had a sweet slice of his large, ever giving heart

Indeed Ijebu was shut down for a week when he and his siblings buried their mum, Chief Mrs Oyin Adenuga in 2005 The aso-ebi (party uniforms) were freely shared It was a week of free feeding for all, especially the masses, in Ijebu Ode I was present with my siblings and parents at the grand finale in Lagos Many of the guests almost missed his appearance at the party because he wore the same aso-ebi with the guests! He would be on the dance floor with King Sunny Ade, KSA, who kept singing the praises of the man he fondly calls Globacom So Uncle Niyi has clocked 70 years?

Quite easy-going in his ways, I saw him at his lowest ebb in 2021 when his sister, Otunba Afolashade Akande died We met at the Christian wake-keep and I noticed he sat at the back of the church, though wearing the family Ankara aso ebi As usual, Uncle Niyi sewed the flowing agbada With his head bowed throughout the service, it was obvious he missed ‘Aunty Shade.’

Those must have been the longest hours he spent at an event The next morning, he was at the same venue for his sister ’s funeral service A loyal brother to the end, his nephews and nieces would always remember his generosity towards them and their parents, especially those of his two late sisters Mummy Agba (Mrs Esther Olusola Osunsade and Mummy Ikoyi (Aunty Shade Akande)

What more do I write about this telecom guru?

Well, Uncle Niyi remains his not-so-loud self He is just the opposite of what his rich Ijebu cultural heritage connotes He is too modest to be tagged a billionaire To Uncle Niyi, life should be moderately celebrated there is no need to make all the noise while you can make all the money instead

Happy 70th birthday, Sir!

MIKE ADE NUG A: AN ODE TO A COR PO RATE BULL @70

Petroleum Resources, Prof Jibril Aminu, under a policy aimed at encouraging indigenous participation in the Upstream Sector of the Oil Industry as oil explorers and producers, handed out oil prospecting blocks to some indigenous corporate icons of the day They included such big players as Dr Mike Adenuga Jr (Consolidated Oil) Chief MKO Abiola (Summit Oil) Saleh Jambo NorthEast Petroleum, Jerome Udoji (Solgas Nigeria Ltd), Sani Bello and High Chief Tunde Afolabi (Amni Petroleum, The Sijuwades (Alfred James Petroleum), The Itsuelis (Dubril Oil), Arthur Eze (Atlas Petroleum), amongst others

The policy was greeted with some strong dose of cynicism, with many industry operators insisting that indigenous players did not have the expertise, the required capital, the manpower etc to operate successfully in the sector Many expressed the view that the beneficiaries would end up handing over the blocks to the real players known as technical partners for a fee and disappear into the thin air

on the beneficiary

While that Exclusive Story signposted the beginning of a relationship between the reporter and the Corporate Titan, they were not to meet physically until 1993 when the Oil Mogul was invited to deliver a paper on the Challenges of Indigenous Oil Exploration and Production Companies by the National War College, Lagos, now known as the National Defence College, which has since relocated to Abuja The Reporter was to bring a few of his colleagues on the Energy Beat to cover the event

When the reporter went forward to introduce himself after the Guru had done justice to the topic of the day, his remarks were: “wow, you are so young and you write so well and so maturely ” To say that the Guru is a unique human being is to state the obvious To call him a Mystery, (note the Capital M) is to correctly situate his modus operandi In the Guru’s Dictionary, the word failure is conspicuous by its absence It is in his never-say-fail spirit that his bull’s moniker can be appreciated If there’s the need for the Chairman to see you, all human factors would have to give way to make that possible To achieve a corporate goal, all factors are adequately taken care of, thereby leaving no room for failure. It is the bull’s spirit; the Guru’s way

Call it the golden era of Nigerian Journalism and you will be hitting the bull’s-eye It was the early 1990s, in the aftermath of the journalism revolution wrought by the legendary and iconic journalist, the Late Dele Giwa and his team with the birth of Newswatch and other such newsmagazines that new era heralded

This reporter had joined the team of the young, brilliant, thorough bred and highly motivated members of the Editorial Desk at The Sunday Magazine, TSM, under the leadership of two of the best in the industry- Chris Anyanwu and Ely Obasi of blessed memory

Assigned the Energy Desk which happened to be the forte of the Publisher, Chris Anyanwu, having covered the beat creditably at the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA News Desk, only the most credible, factual, balanced and well written stories from the reporter could pass the stringent requirements of the two highly professional bosses It was in this setting that the reporter, April 1992, came about the Exclusive Story of the late MKO Abiola’s Summit Oil having discovered crude oil in commercial quantities at its Oil Prospecting Lease, OPL 205, Oil block It was a big deal; a big story, but at the same time, a story that could create huge credibility problem, if it goes awry And this for a strong reason

In the early 1990s, the then Minister of

It was under this atmosphere of pervasive cynicism that the reporter came to the newsroom to announce to the bosses that Summit Oil had struck crude Oil, in its Otien Field in OPL 205 What made it more interesting was that the feat was attained with an all Nigerian team of professionals The two bosses sent the reporter back to his sources to demand for more documents and further proofs More documents helped to confirm the earlier reports which indicated that, indeed, before this latest feat, another indigenous Oil Company, Mike Adenuga Jr ’s Consolidated Oil had made commercial discoveries at its Bella 1 Well at its OPL 113 (now OML 103), a feat attained with an all Nigerian team of oil experts on the Christmas Eve of 1991

That was the story that gave birth to the The TSM Exclusive Cover Story of April 1992 titled: Abiola Strikes Black Gold That story not only exclusively accurately reported the Summit Oil Ltd’s oil find, it dissected the Professor Jibril Aminu’s Upstream Sector indigenous policy and also highlighted the fact that Mike Adenuga Jr ’s Consolidated Oil was the first indigenous E & P Company to strike the precious black gold in commercial quantities at its Bella 1 Well

It was a report that dominated discourse in oil industry circles the week it hit the newsstands and thereafter Apparently a man given to appreciating excellence and great efforts, the Guru, as he is fondly called by devotees and admirers alike, reached out to the young reporter to appreciate what he described as a brilliant and balanced report The Chairman has his own unique way of appreciating such efforts in such a way that it will make a life long permanent, positive impressions

The Guru’s business model does not envisage any obstacle as insurmountable, in fact, such challenges are considered as stepping stones to achieving corporate goals Check out the challenges he faced to make a success of oil exploration and production, which he once described as the greatest cassino on earth and then the obstacles placed on his way by powerful forces before securing the telecom licences and the way he tackled competition when he arrived the telecoms market, then you will know that the Guru is not called the Bull for fun

The Guru’s uniqueness however goes beyond achieving corporate goals and recording one business conquest after another His human relations template is amazing for its detailed approach He keeps records of all his contacts and reaches out to them appropriately to the amazement of the beneficiaries Every year, without fail, this reporter has received a well decorated Christmas Card from the Guru in the last two decades You don’t need to see regularly for the Guru to remember you And that is what stands him out as a unique creature, who, even though may not be readily accessible, remains true to his friends and humanity at large

The Bull’s belief in remaining at the background while he records one feat after the other and one corporate conquest after another has definitely worked for him With this uncommon and unique style, controversies, scandals, crises have all kept a safe distance from the Guru

With businesses that have grown so humongous as to place its never-say-die promoter as the second richest Nigerian, there is no doubting the fact that the Guru’s unique business and relationships templates have worked perfectly for this Corporate Icon who looks ready to continue to dominate the global business landscape in the decades to come

As the Bull marks his three scores and ten on the terrestrial side, may The Most High grant him many more decades of more corporate conquests and accomplishments

WHEN GLOBACOM TOOK OVER AFRICAN FOOTBALL AT GLO - CAF AWARDS

MIKE ADENUGA THE ENYI I OF NIGERIA@70

Eleven years ago, I wrote the piece below to mark nine years of Globacom in Nigeria Today, I adopt it to celebrate Nigeria’s pride, Chief Mike Adenugu Jr on his birthday I do so knowing how it partly captures the picture of what Chief Adenuga has done for Nigerian sports. Today, Adenuga has an eye on entertainment, nay sports But he has good reason for the greater attention he and his Globacom now pay to the world of entertainment, the nongovernment backed or controlled creative sector that is now a huge employer of labour

Dakuku Peterside and Pat Utomi have, on different occasions, said that the sector was only thriving because it was not being run by government Nigerian government appears to be good in destroying than developing Check all areas where government is solely in charge and you’ll agree with Peterside and Utomi

The creative industry is enjoying all the morale and financial support from the likes of Adenuga who is impressed by their ingenuity and tremendous efforts And that’s Adenuga for you Show your potential and commitment to promote humanity and growth in any sector and he is there for you PATRIOTISM And that’s why he is revered and remains one of the big Nigerian heroes

Musicians, Nollywood stars, comedians and many more in the creative industry are daily singing his name He lifts them They will be among those celebrating this great Nigerian today

Ask Mike Itemuagbor, a foremost sports marketer and he will tell you many more you didn’t know Mike Adenuga did for sports The sports family which I’m part of will remain

grateful to this great visionary of our time And we know he is still with us but the administrators must get their acts right to attract more of his goodies again Sponsorship is not donation As Adenuga marks his birthday today, it is my prayer that God continues to bless him with many more years in good health and prosperity CONGRATULATIONS, SIR.

Now enjoy the piece, first published 11 years ago, titled N9b IN 9 YEARS, KUDOS TO GLO AND ADENUGA

Nine years ago, there were long queues in Nigerian cities especially Abuja It cost more than 20,000 to purchase a SIM card when Nigeria introduced GSM telecommunications Globacom stormed the scene more than one year after and crashed the price to N5,000 Nigerians, in their hundreds of thousands, lined up to acquire Glo lines It was a massive relief to the common man as the cost even

crashed further until it got to the current state where a hundred Naira can fetch one a sim card That’s what competition can do to an economy. Nigerians reaped from this economic factor courtesy Globacom. It did not end there. GSM charges were on minute by minute billing and Nigerians complained of reap offs as calls less than a minute attracted full one minute charge

Glo was on the march again They started second by second billing and others followed Nigerians were the beneficiaries of this Glo initiative Phones are for everybody and not only for the rich as it struck many during analogue era and the early stage of GSM phones

Globacom had made instant impact and it did not take them time to glow into sports Just barely one year in business Nigeria was to host the greatest sports show in Africa, the All Africa Games They did not want the event to suffer and had to lend a hand financially They became the official GSM partners of the Local Organising Committee, LOC

Leveraged from the visibility it exposed them Sports commands passion Sports is loud, noisy and sensational in all aspects including the reportorial duties of the media They all add to the huge entertainment that it is It has great followership Globacom tasted it and felt that it was good

They marched on. They became the sponsors of the National league, the national football teams and the supporters club. They went into athletics and sponsored the Lagos Half Marathon They have had a hand in golf and Squash Racket. When Nigeria hosted the Under 17 FIFA World Cup in 2009 Globacom was one of the sponsors Just on Tuesday they launched a football academy They have become synonymous with sports in Nigeria But have their efforts yielded commensurate results? I wouldn’t say so But that has been largely no fault of theirs

However, they are still to blame to some extent When a league in tropical Africa receives some sponsorship funding to the tune of about N500m to almost N800 m yearly that league should be worth the sponsorship But the football managers in Nigeria had other ideas and helped themselves rather than the league Why would Globacom share in the blame? There’s a difference between donation and sponsorship When you donate money to an organisation you don’t worry about what they do with it

It’s charity work But when you sponsor an event you have a right to know how the sponsorship money is being spent You expect certain mileage from your sponsorship And if you are not leveraging from it you have a right for a review based on the contract, anyway Sponsorship is not free, it’s no donation. And this is what Globacom did not appear to realise in the greater part of their sponsorship of the league in Nigeria

They failed to ask questions about their sponsorship money When they tried to do so the damage had been massive and the league was crumbling Globacom suspended their sponsorship and till date the Nigerian League has no title right sponsors two seasons after they said enough was enough Nigerian football has remained the loser It should not be so Nigerian sports should be richer going by what Globacom has invested since they started business in Nigeria

“We have invested about N9 billion into sports in Nigeria in the nine years we have existed,” Globacom’s Regional Director, Marketing communications, Charles Janarius said in Lagos last week It was in a dinner that reminded guests this is their 9th year of service and business in Nigeria

Janarius told me Globacom has not stopped sponsoring sports “We are still sponsoring sports and cannot stop as sports is part of life. We are still the sponsors of all the national teams As for the league, we hope that they get a few things right We are the sponsors of the league in Ghana and there the foreign leagues have not consumed everything The crowds still come to watch matches and the people still have passion for the local league We need to get a few things right in Nigeria and Globacom will renew the league sponsorship We have not left We are still there ”

Janarius freely discussed global sports including the Olympics and showed good knowledge of the sports industry What he said is a challenge to those running our football now The current managers have also not met expectations of Nigerians They have not lifted the league beyond were they met it Some argue that it is even worse

The loser is still Nigerian football The only good thing about the Nigerian league is that new Eagles coach is drawing players from the local pool Globacom may still return and make it better Their chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr has passion for sports He will not let it die He is a patriotic Nigerian

Adenuga has been massive to sports. He has a massive frame, massive businesses which have provided massive employment for thousands of Nigerians It is no wonder that the Federal

Government will on Monday honour him with a massive National Honour, Grand Commander of Niger, the second highest award in the country

He deserves it. He is the ENYI 1 of Nigeria. Ask Orji Uzor Kalu what this title means and he will tell you the role Chief Adenuga played when Enyimba won the then elusive Champions League back to back

The creative industry is enjoying all the morale and financial support from the likes of Adenuga who is impressed by their ingenuity and tremendous efforts.

ADENUGA@70: HIS SUCCESS STRATE

Although he shies away from publicity and prefers to do his business and live his life quietly, Dr Michael Adeniyi Adenuga Jr , Chairman of Nigeria’s foremost digital services company, Globacom, who turns 70 on April 29, is today one of the most prominent names on the African continent

Not known to be among Nigerian businessmen who made their fortune largely by befriending every government in power for bogus contracts, concessions and waivers, yet by the time he turned 50, Dr Adenuga was already a multi-billionaire sitting atop what is generally regarded as one off the continent’s largest business empires His octopoidal hands stretch from oil and gas to telecommunications, aviation, banking, construction and real estate

In each of these critical sectors of the economy, Dr. Adenuga has built his companies into major players In the oil and gas sector, for instance, Conoil Plc is one of the most profitable oil marketing companies in Nigeria He had bought over a dying National Oil and within a few years turned it into a thriving business now known as Conoil Plc Conoil Producing, the downstream arm of the conglomerate, made history by becoming the first Nigerian company to strike oil and produce it in commercial

quantity In banking, Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) was one of the few banks that effortlessly met the N25 billion capital requirement without going to the stock market or merging with other banks except Devcom Bank which was also owned by Adenuga ETB later merged with Sterling Bank where he is the largest shareholder He is also one of the biggest shareholders in Transcorp Plc and Nigeria’s oldest bank, First Bank of Nigeria Plc It doesn’t end there; Adenuga is equally the largest shareholder in Nigeria’s foremost construction companies, Julius Berger Plc

In telecommunications, Globacom is reputed to be the most innovative network in Nigeria as well as the pacesetter in Nigeria’s quest to become a digital society His investment in real estate alone is said to be worth over three billion dollars. These companies provide direct employment to thousands of Nigerians and millions of others indirectly

That Adenuga is one of the world’s wealthiest men is not in doubt; what may not be well known is the driving force behind this business phenomenon How do you decipher the mind of a man who hardly grants press interviews or speaks in public? He does not attend public functions, does not go out to court political

leaders like other Nigerian businessmen do Indeed, his preference for privacy is such that even some of the workers at his numerous businesses have never set eyes on him

But what perhaps gives an insight into his mind, personal and business philosophies and what drives his existence is his postulations on ”Achieving” which he released on April 29,1993, to mark his 40th birthday

To help understand what has made Dr Adenuga the symbol of enterprise and success he is today, this masterfully crafted business bible bears recalling:

“Achieving is a thing of resolve and persistence,” Adenuga wrote “It is the state of attaining success as a goal through sustained consistency The achiever is a leader, a winner, all the time, not just once Achieving is an attitude.

“Leading the pack is the only worthwhile resolve for the achiever There is no room for second place It is often said that it is not the winning that counts, but the participation This adage does not reflect an achieving attitude It is not the mere participant, but the achiever, the winner, the leader who makes the difference that advances the course of humankind in the judgement of history

-Williams Orji

He continues: “High profile corporate game playing is an arena where the pervading zeal is on achieving in every single endeavour: to be the first, and always the first; to be the one who holds the aces that determine the pace of play You do not enter the arena to depend on luck You match your wits against others, with your entire constitution springing to action. Every fibre from innermost recesses of your being, to the fore, becomes combative in a synchronised zeal to achieve With this strategy, you’re never going to come off the arena a loser” On how to successfully run a business concern, Adenuga submits: “Essentially, running a business is similar to leading a military operation or orchestrating a political campaign, or performing as a great athlete The fundamental principles are the same The overriding objective is to outmanoeuvre the opposing forces; to outsmart the other party; to out-perform the competition; to outwit the other guy – to achieve This may sound harsh But that is the way it is”

WHEN GLOBACOM TAKEOVER AFRICAN FOOTBALL AS THE GLO CAF AWARDS

To be able to achieve success, he counsels that entrepreneurs must engage the best hands, those with a competitive spirit and winning attitude No wonder then that Adenuga pays special attention to recruitment process in his companies: “Success is the goal of every business, and the most successful businesses engage the most competitive men They are there to compete – to savour

the grind and brutal discipline of epic combat – and to achieve”

Notwithstanding the firm and pragmatic business philosophy, Adenuga remains a strong believer in God, in equity and fair play: “Let my words not be misunderstood I do not believe that men must be dehumanised or brutalised to acquire an achieving attitude I am a staunch believer in the Divine Presence of God, and recognise the necessity of human decency and goodwill But at the same time, I strongly believe that a corporate player ’s greatest fulfilment is that critical moment when he engages in that epic corporate combat with all he’s got and emerges as the man of the moment: the achiever

“In the end, the achiever has a moral obligation to reflect upon the general condition of humanity in the larger field of play Such a reflection should materialise in a philanthropic attitude –that which is responsible, organised and reasoned – as well as promotion of knowledge ”

With this mindset of an “Achiever” as defined by Dr Adenuga, it is easier to understand the sheer gut and determination that have characterized his resounding successes. From his perseverance to go into oil drilling when the odds seemed against him and his mates were selling off their oil blocks to his bouncing back with Globacom in 2003 after the setback of losing $20 million in the 2001 GSM license auction when government awarded him an encumbered frequency, it has been one story after another of rushing in where angels fear to tread

Dr. Adenuga was already a multi-billionaire sitting atop what is generally regarded as one off the continent’s largest business empires. His octopoidal hands stretch from oil and gas to telecommunications, aviation, banking, construction and real estate.

PLATINUM CHEERS FOR THE ENIGMATIC CHAIRMAN AT 70

-Michael Effiong

Today, the entire world would rise in unison to applaud and celebrate the inimitable Dr Mike Adenuga Jr GCON, CSG, CdrLH, a great son of Africa, a man who has created opportunities for thousands, changed the lives of millions and impacted the world as he hits platinum.

Biblically, turning three scores and ten is no easy feat, it is a landmark that calls for thanksgiving to God and also a time to reminisce on the life of this prodigiously blessed billionaire who has become like King Midas in the sense that anything he has touched, has turned to gold

In this my account, I go down memory lane to bring to fore the fact that the ovation that have been showered on this shrewd investor, go-getter, risk taker and visionary businessman is more that well deserved!

As the Society Editor of the now-rested Fame Magazine, it was my duty to know firstrate Nigerian celebrities and write everything about them: The Good The Bad and the Ugly I attended all the big events and met so many of the leading lights of our nation at that time

Mention any person, I was able to tell you a thing or two about that individual In the early 1990s, Fame was the numero uno celebrity journal in Nigeria It was what Newswatch was in the magazine genre and Daily Times in the Newspaper genre For some inexplicable reasons, the name Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr never featured in any of my reportage

His name began to ring a bell when I was invited for a media parley, which later became a monthly affair by Otunba ‘Niyi Adewunmi through Chief Dele Momodu

The meeting was on the behest of a man he consistently referred to as “Chairman” At that time, Otunba Adewunmi used to flash a complimentary card, which if my memory serves me right, had the inscription World Span Holdings Limited emblazoned on it So, my guess was that Adenuga, our monthly, but unseen host, was the Chairman of World Span

During the lunch, we will discuss everything but Adenuga This got me very curious What made me more curious was the fact that Otunba Adewunmi will always pull me aside after our lunch date at the usual

venue, The Kitchen on Allen Avenue, Ikeja and whisper, “Your namesake says I should specially great you” That struck a chord, and I made a note of that statement, concluding that this Mike Adenuga must be a meticulous person and a voracious reader, if he could spend time reading what we wrote at Fame!

Anyway, as a trained journalist, who will forever be inquisitive, I began to dig a bit into who this mysterious Mike Adenuga Jr really was

Nothing much came up until I stumbled on the fact that he and Newswatch Editor inChief, the late Dele Giwa, were friends and even used to live on the same Talabi Street in Ikeja. That was how I began to nurse the idea of interviewing him

So, at one of those lunch events at The Kitchen restaurant, I approached Otunba Adewunmi and said “Please sir, tell my namesake that I want to have a one-on-one interview with him?” He laughed for almost a minute and said “Mike, let me tell you, forget it, your namesake does not do interviews But I will pass on your message”

I will never know if Otunba Adewunmi ever passed on that message, but he never came back with a response I then began to draw a mental picture of Dr Mike Adenuga Jr: Taciturn, tough, media shy, cerebral, astute and a Master Tactician, who does things on his own terms

I also developed a lot of admiration for him for staying anonymous and elusive in a country like Nigeria, where being showy was the norm

I was more than excited a few years later when one beautiful day, I received a call from a lady who claimed she was calling from “The Office of the Chairman” At first, I thought she was from the office of Fame’s Chairman, Mr Tayo Adesanya, but she affirmed that she was calling from the office of Dr Mike Adenuga Jr

I remember thinking that this could either be a prank or something truly remarkable was about to happen

To say this call caused a rush of blood to my head would be an understatement Tales have by then been woven about this mythic Adenuga and a hundred thoughts flowed in my head that very second

The lady then said “Chairman has a message for you” and went ahead to give specific directions My thinking at the time was, wow, this was my opportunity to have an interview with him at last!

Well, that did not happen as “the message”, turned out to be very huge gift! I was later to get a few more messages But later, I had the muchawaited one-on-one with Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr , the whole night before that encounter, I could not sleep My anxiety was sky high as I imagined how he would look like in person, what he would say etc I had also prepared questions, and rehearsed how I will deliver them, thinking this was my long-awaited interview opportunity I

arrived for the appointment one hour ahead of time! That day, when I got to his office in Victoria Island, Lagos and announced to the security man that I had come to see the Chairman, he looked me from head to toe, not once, not twice but thrice My heart sank when he then said “wait here a moment”

He then came back with a smile and showed me to a waiting area Everything seemed odd because there was no other person there! I thought there would be loads of people waiting to see such a “big man” At the stroke of time, I was invited to his office

I am not sure if I used the lift or the staircase to his floor, but I remember that I was very apprehensive When I was showed to his door, I stopped for a few minutes before stepping in and could not but notice the words GURU AT WORK inscribed at the door

When I walked in, The Guru was seated, and as if he noticed my anxiety and nervousness, he smiled and said, E dem nfo? Wow, I was taken aback! E dem nfo is Ibibio for “How are you?” I quickly responded Asong, literally meaning “I am well” He was first to extend his hand of greeting, I stretched out two of mine to meet one of his Instantly, I felt the softness, freshness and warmth

of his hand And he then offered me a sit, which I quickly slipped into as I scanned the luxurious but very functional office Before, I could recover from that rare expression of humility, and fire the questions I had rehearsed, he took charge of the session

He said he just wanted to say thank you I don’t remember much else of what we discussed for the about 10 minutes or so that I was there, but it had nothing to do with him or his business

He was very polite, calm and in a very jolly mood Ending the meeting was on his terms, he just called it a day Again, he gave me a warm handshake and that was it! As I stepped out of the office and made my way out, I was trailed by his very subtle but masculine perfume What an experience! After that encounter, I began to receive his end-of-year cards, I call it end of year because his cards usually arrive first, well ahead of any other and well before the yuletide season

Trust me, Adenuga epitomizes the word enigma The business titan has wowed many with his act of generosity, and anyone who has received one of those personalized cards or a call from Chairman’s Office will attest to the fact that he is indeed the “Chairman of Chairmen” He almost always makes an impression with his act of giving

And don’t try to reciprocate this kind gesture by sending your own card or gift to his office You will hit a brick wall I learnt this hard lesson too I had commissioned one of my colleagues then, Kanbi Owolabi, to make a special hand-crafted card for Chairman I had spent days creatively crafting the words

I had planned to send it in November, knowing full well his, usually arrives early December When the card was ready, I wanted to be stylish so I dispatched it through a top courier

Described as a typical Taurean: he is bold and bullish. No wonder on all his key properties and even his home, an imposing sculpture of a bull, the bronze type, you find on Wall Street near the famous New York Stock Exchange is conspicuously positioned for all to see

company Surprisingly, the parcel was returned The excuse was that no one was there to receive it

Since I knew his office, I decided to handle the matter personally, because I thought the courier company staff were incompetent

When I got to the place, the security man told me with a straight face “We do not receive any parcel on behalf of the Chairman here” And that was the end of story!

I walked back to my car with my ego totally deflated, but I kept that card in my bedroom for years It was another lesson learnt from the man some fondly call The Bull. He cherishes his privacy and guides it jealously

Even during his toughest battle yet, when his life and business were in danger during the Obasanjo administration, and he had to go on exile in Ghana, he never changed

We lived on the same street in the highbrow Airport Residential Area in Accra and what I noticed was that his house had the highest fence in the neighbourhood The gate of that all-white mansion was always firmly shut. But I did spot someone like him driving around in a tinted BMW salon car a couple of times He seems to be at ease and at home in his own world

After that first encounter in his office, anytime we met, he always began with that greeting of E dem nfo Of course, I will beam with a smile and respond, and then we will go on to speak or he just moves along if it is a public function Talking of public functions, this seems to be an anathema for him He seems to detest crowded places

But with the birth of Globacom, he became a national figure and therefore had to leave his office comfort zone to attend some public functions-most times, he would be sitting at a

corner and would wish to be incognito He would always feel very uncomfortable when klieg lights or camera lights are flashed on his face Whenever that happens, Adenuga, a fervent Catholic, will be engrossed in his rosary, which is one thing that I have noticed he always carries everywhere

Though, I have not seen or heard from him for over a decade, he has remained his enigmatic self and as constant as the Northern star Still private, still reclusive, still elusive and still making exploits in the world of business

Described as a typical Taurean: he is bold and bullish No wonder on all his key properties and even his home, an imposing sculpture of a bull, the bronze type, you find on Wall Street near the famous New York Stock Exchange is conspicuously positioned for all to see Perhaps, it is a sign to people that the owner of this property is a courageous and serious-minded persona who has zero tolerance for time wasters.

Adenuga is a perfectionist who is passionate about his business, pressure does not seem to get to him, rather it fuels him He is a calculative dreamer who always seizes opportunities He is one who never believes that the word “impossible” exists. Anything he wants he strives to get!

He seems to have ingrained this culture and drive in his children as I witnessed with his daughter, Mrs Bella Disu, during her wedding in 2010 That event can be described as one of the best weddings ever held in Nigeria, and I can say so with all sense of sincerity because of my line of work.

The grandeur and glamour on display were indescribable and till date, I have never seen that much quantity of Amand de Brignac popularly called Ace of Spades and Don Perignon champagnes at a single event It was mindboggling and only a Dr Mike Adenuga could have pulled off such a wondrous spectacle

I should not have been surprised because those who know him have confirmed that he is a man of fine taste. He is not one of those who would be considered to be filled with joie de vivre

He is said to be a finicky connoisseur, who enjoys every opportunity to “spoil” his guests with a bit of the good things of life, he himself savours Ovation International had the privilege of getting the exclusive rights for the wedding so I had to attend a few meetings with the then Miss Bella Adenuga at the Mike Adenuga Towers at the insistence of her aunt, Ms. Funmi Osunsade.

At one of the meetings, I came in to hear the Event Planner, Mrs Uche Majekodunmi, lamenting that she had presented over 10 shades of a particular colour to the bride, who insisted that she still had not seen the specific one she wanted and was wondering if the bride could settle for any other one

The beautiful bride cut her off immediately Mrs. Disu affirmed that she has seen that shade in a catalogue and knows it exists somewhere in this

world, she told Mrs Majekodunmi clearly that as far as that colour exists, she must have it And that was the end of the discussion

On the day of the event, I noticed that the shade of colour that was in contention, miraculously appeared and it was used for the venue décor! That incident showed me that she is indeed a chip of the old block She would not take no for answer, just like her dear dad, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr

Many people say he is the richest black man alive; I cannot doubt their assessment going by his business acumen, doggedness, determination, sheer guts and humongous investments in oil & gas, real estate, construction, banking and telecommunications

If you consider that he is the only Nigerian that solely owns a vast telecommunications network (Globacom and Glo 1 Submarine cable) which milks money per second and also owns thriving oil wells, then, no one should be told that he is second to none

The joke in town is that Adenuga is so financially blessed that those who compile the yearly Rich Lists are too scared to assess his true worth, especially because most of his earnings are not in quoted companies and so cannot be added up with a calculator, like the wealth of many of the others

In truth, I believe, Adenuga likes the way he is presently being undervalued and under estimated He certainly likes to operate under the radar as his assets and earnings are growing by the second, while having a good laugh at the expense of these publishers, analysts and financial experts

God has certainly blessed this man of means immensely He is indeed a combination of grit and grace, maybe that is the main reason he has built a chapel in his imposing Ikoyi, Lagos home to enable him thank God daily for His mercies By all indices, Adenuga, the visionary, self-made towering symbol of enterprise and excellence is Nigeria’s most decorated, celebrated and foremost business icon

Knowing full well that he will not have a public event to mark this extra special occasion, please join me, let’s raise a toast as I hand this beautiful garland to the great son of Nigeria, Africa’s gift to the world, billionaire extraordinaire and philanthropist par excellence, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr GCON, CSG, CdrLH, on the occasion of his 70th birthday Congratulations Chairman sir!

Adenuga is a perfectionist who is passionate about his business, pressure does not seem to get to him, rather it fuels him. He is a calculative dreamer who always seizes opportunities. He is one who never believes that the word “impossible” exists. Anything he wants he strives to get!

T H E A R C H I V E S . . .

THE WORLD CELEBRATES AFRICA'S MOST COMPASSIONATE BILLIONAIRE AND GLOBACOM CHAIRMAN

DR . MIKE ADENuGA JNR . AT 70